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Background: Canine acaricides with rapid onset and sustained activity can reduce pathogen transmission risk and enhance pet owner experience. This randomized, complete block design, investigator-masked study compared the speed of kill of Amblyomma americanum provided by three monthly-use isoxazoline-containing products. Methods: Eight randomized beagles per group were treated (day 0), per label, with sarolaner (combined with moxidectin and pyrantel, Simparica Trio™), afoxolaner (NexGard™), or lotilaner (Credelio™), or remained untreated. Infestations with 50 adult A. americanum were conducted on days − 7, − 2, 21, and 28, and tick counts were performed on day − 5 (for blocking), and at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h following treatment and subsequent infestations. Efficacy calculations were based on geometric mean live tick counts. A linear mixed model was used for between-group comparisons. Results: On day 0, only lotilaner significantly reduced an A. americanum infestation by 12 h (43.3%; P = 0.002). Efficacy of lotilaner and afoxolaner at 24 h post-treatment was 95.3% and 97.6%, respectively, both significantly different from sarolaner (74%) (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, respectively). On day 21, at 12 h postinfestation, lotilaner efficacy (59.6%) was significantly different from sarolaner (0.0%) (P < 0.001) and afoxolaner (6.3%) (P < 0.001). At 24 h, lotilaner efficacy (97.4%) was significantly different (P < 0.001) from sarolaner and afoxolaner (13.6% and 14.9%, respectively). On day 28, at 12 h postinfestation, lotilaner efficacy (47.8%) was significantly different from sarolaner (17.1%) (P = 0.020) and afoxolaner (9.0%) (P = 0.006). At 24 h, lotilaner efficacy (92.3%) was significantly different from sarolaner 4.9% (P < 0.001) and afoxolaner (0.0%) (P < 0.001). Speed of kill for sarolaner and afoxolaner, but not lotilaner, significantly declined over the study period. Following reinfestation on day 28, neither sarolaner nor afoxolaner reached 90% efficacy by 48 h. By 72 h, sarolaner efficacy was 97.4% and afoxolaner efficacy was 86.3%. Only lotilaner achieved ≥ 90% efficacy by 24 h post-treatment and 24 h postinfestation on days 21 and 28. Time to ≥ 90% efficacy following new infestations consistently occurred 24–48 h earlier for lotilaner compared with sarolaner or afoxolaner. Conclusions: Credelio (lotilaner) has a more rapid onset of acaricidal activity against A. americanum than Simparica Trio (sarolaner-moxidectin-pyrantel) and NexGard (afoxolaner). Only lotilaner's speed of tick kill is sustained throughout the dosing period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few trials have examined the effects of coconut oil consumption in comparison with polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich oils such as corn oil.Objective: This trial assessed the effects of consuming foods made with corn oil compared with coconut oil on lipids, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation.Methods: This was a preliminary randomized crossover study of men (n = 12) and women (n = 13) with a mean age of 45.2 y, mean body mass index (in kg/m2) of 27.7, fasting LDL cholesterol ≥115 mg/dL and <190 mg/dL, and triglycerides (TGs) ≤375 mg/dL. Subjects consumed muffins and rolls providing 4 tablespoons (∼54 g) per day of corn oil or coconut oil as part of their habitual diets for 4 wk, with a 3-wk washout between conditions. Fasting plasma lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and glucose metabolism were assessed via an intravenous glucose tolerance test at baseline and 15 and 29 d of treatment. Responses were compared between treatments by ANCOVA.Results: Median baseline concentrations of LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol (total-C), HDL cholesterol, total-C:HDL cholesterol, and TGs were 123, 144, 188, 46.0, 4.21, and 92.5 mg/dL, respectively. Changes from baseline for corn oil and coconut oil conditions, respectively, were: LDL cholesterol (primary outcome; -2.7% compared with +4.6%), non-HDL cholesterol (-3.0% compared with +5.8%), total-C (-0.5% compared with +7.1%), HDL cholesterol (+5.4% compared with +6.5%), total-C:HDL cholesterol (-4.3% compared with -3.3%), and TGs (-2.1% compared with +6.0%). Non-HDL cholesterol responses were significantly different between corn and coconut oil conditions (P = 0.034); differences between conditions in total-C and LDL cholesterol approached significance (both P = 0.06). Responses for hs-CRP and carbohydrate homeostasis parameters did not differ significantly between diet conditions.Conclusions: When incorporated into the habitual diet, consumption of foods providing ∼54 g of corn oil/d produced a more favorable plasma lipid profile than did coconut oil in adults with elevated cholesterol. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03202654. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertriglyceridemia is a common condition in the United States and is often associated with other metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and a predominance of small dense LDL particles.Objective: The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of a combination of egg protein (Epro) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) substituted for refined starches and added sugars on insulin sensitivity (primary outcome) and other cardiometabolic health markers in overweight or obese adults with elevated triglyceride (TG) concentrations.Methods: Subjects with elevated TG concentrations were given test foods prepared by using Epro powder (∼8% of energy) and vegetable oil (∼8% of energy; Epro and UFA condition) or test foods prepared by using refined starch and sugar (∼16% of energy; carbohydrate condition) in a randomized, double-blind, controlled-feeding, crossover trial (3 wk/condition, 2-wk washout). The Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (MISI), fasting lipids, and other cardiometabolic health markers were assessed at baseline and the end of each diet condition. Responses were compared by using repeated-measures ANCOVA.Results: Twenty-five participants [11 men, 14 women; mean ± SEM: age, 46.3 ± 2.4 y; body mass index (in kg/m2), 31.8 ± 1.0] with a median (interquartile range limits) fasting serum TG concentration of 173 mg/dL (159, 228 mg/dL) completed the trial. The MISI value increased 18.1% ± 8.7% from baseline during the Epro and UFA condition and decreased 5.7% ± 6.2% from baseline during the carbohydrate condition (P < 0.001). The disposition index increased 23.8% ± 20.8% during the Epro and UFA condition compared with a decrease of 16.3% ± 18.8% during carbohydrate (P = 0.042) and LDL peak particle size increased 0.12 nm (-0.12, 0.28 nm) with Epro and UFA compared with a decrease of 0.15 nm (-0.33, 0.12 nm) with carbohydrate (P = 0.019). TG and VLDL cholesterol concentrations were lowered by 18.5% (-35.7%, -6.9%) and 18.6% (-34.8%, -7.4%), respectively, after the Epro and UFA condition and by 2.5% (-13.4%, 17.0%) and 3.6% (-12.5%, 16.2%), respectively, after the carbohydrate diet condition (P < 0.002).Conclusions: The replacement of refined carbohydrates with a combination of Epro and UFA increased the MISI value and altered several markers of cardiometabolic health in overweight or obese adults with elevated TG concentrations. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02924558. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized, double-blind, parallel trial assessed the influence of pomegranate juice consumption on anterior and posterior carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) progression rates in subjects at moderate risk for coronary heart disease. Subjects were men (45 to 74 years old) and women (55 to 74 years old) with ≥1 major coronary heart disease risk factor and baseline posterior wall CIMT 0.7 to 2.0 mm, without significant stenosis. Participants consumed 240 ml/day of pomegranate juice (n = 146) or a control beverage (n = 143) for up to 18 months. No significant difference in overall CIMT progression rate was observed between pomegranate juice and control treatments. In exploratory analyses, in subjects in the most adverse tertiles for baseline serum lipid peroxides, triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, TGs/HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein-B100, those in the pomegranate juice group had significantly less anterior wall and/or composite CIMT progression versus control subjects. In conclusion, these results suggest that in subjects at moderate coronary heart disease risk, pomegranate juice consumption had no significant effect on overall CIMT progression rate but may have slowed CIMT progression in subjects with increased oxidative stress and disturbances in the TG-rich lipoprotein/HDL axis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and methylcellulose (MC) are modified cellulose dietary fibers that generate viscous solutions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This study assessed the effects of high viscosity (HV) HPMC, ultra-HV (UHV) HPMC, and medium viscosity MC on postprandial glucose and insulin responses in overweight and obese men and women (n = 50). After overnight fasts, subjects consumed 5 breakfast meals containing 75 g carbohydrate, each of which contained 1 of the following: 1 g HV-HPMC, 2 g HV-HPMC, 2 g UHV-HPMC, 4 g medium-viscosity MC or control (2 g cellulose). Test sequence was randomized and double-blind, except the MC test, which was last and single-blind (46 subjects completed all 5 tests). Glucose and insulin responses were determined pre-meal and for 120 min postprandially. Median (interquartile limits) peak glucose concentration was lower (P = 0.001) after the meal containing 2.0 g UHV-HPMC (7.1, 6.3-8.2 mmol/L) compared with the control meal (7.7, 6.6-8.7 mmol/L). The control did not differ from the other conditions for peak glucose or for any of the HPMC/MC conditions for glucose incremental areas under the curves (IAUC). Peak insulin was reduced (P < 0.05) for all HPMC/MC conditions compared with control. Insulin IAUC was lower than control (P < 0.001) after meals containing 2 g HV-HPMC, 2 g UHV-HPMC, and 4 g MC. GI symptoms did not differ among treatments. These findings indicate that HV-HPMC (1 and 2 g), UHV-HPMC (2 g), and MC (4 g) consumption reduced postprandial insulin excursions consistent with delayed glucose absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE -- High-viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HV-HPMC) is a modified cellulose fiber that produces a viscous gel in the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical trials demonstrate that consumption of HV-HPMC significantly lowers cholesterol, but limited information has been available on the influence of HV-HPMC on postprandial insulin and glucose responses. The objective of this investigation was to assess the influence of HV-HPMC on postprandial glucose and insulin responses in overweight and obese men and women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -- Participants were 31 overweight or obese men and women without diabetes who underwent three breakfast meal tests in random order, separated by ≥72 h. Test meals containing 75 g carbohydrate plus 4 or 8 g HV-HPMC or control meals containing 8 g cellulose were delivered in a double-blind fashion. RESULTS -- Peak glucose was significantly lower (P < 0.001) after both HV-HPMC-containing meals (7.4 mmol/l [4 g] and 7.4 mmol/l [8 g]) compared with the control meal (8.6 mmol/l). Peak insulin concentrations and the incremental areas for glucose and insulin from 0 to 120 min were also significantly reduced after both HV-HPMC doses versus control (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS -- These findings indicate that HV-HPMC consumption reduces postprandial glucose and insulin excursions, which may favorably alter risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This trial evaluated the efficacy of a ready-to-eat cereal containing beta-glucan, incorporated into a low saturated fat and cholesterol diet, for reducing LDL cholesterol levels in children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate primary hypercholesterolemia. Following diet lead-in and baseline assessment phases, 29 subjects (aged 6-14 years) were randomized to either control cereal or ready-to-eat cereal that provided 3 g/d of beta-glucan, for four weeks. Subjects then received the alternate product for an additional four weeks. Among subjects who were at least 80% compliant (n = 18), total and soluble dietary fiber intakes increased significantly (26.7%, p = 0.01 and 30.8%, p = 0.02, respectively) and LDL cholesterol was reduced by a mean of 5.3% (p = 0.03). The reduction in LDL cholesterol appeared to be most pronounced (9.2%, p = 0.001) among those with body mass index below the median (25.7 kg/m2). Thus, consumption of a beta-glucan containing cereal modestly lowers cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic children and adolescents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High-viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HV-HPMC) is a dietary fiber that forms a viscous gel in the gastrointestinal tract after consumption. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the influence of glucose tolerance on postprandial responses to HV-HPMC. Subjects were classified into low (LPG) or high (HPG) subgroups based on the median peak glucose concentration (< or ≥147 mg/dL) after a control test meal containing 75 g of carbohydrate. Those with HPG (n=16) did not differ from the LPG subset (n=15) in demographic characteristics or fasting insulin, but had significantly higher fasting glucose (99 vs. 91 mg/dL, p=0.006). Postprandial glucose (7882 vs. 5122 minx mg/dL, p=0.023) and insulin (5184 vs. 2739 min x mU/L, p=0.019) incremental areas under the curves (IAUC, 0-120 min) were higher in the HPG subjects. Adding HV-HPMC (4 or 8 g) to the meal reduced glucose and insulin responses (p<0.001). The degree of blunting of the insulin IAUC did not differ between the HPG and LPG subsets (-47 vs. -43%, p=0.671), but the glucose IAUC was blunted to a larger degree in the HPG subjects (-41 vs. -26%, p=0.034). Thus, slowing the rate of glucose absorption with HV-HPMC had a larger impact on postprandial glycemia in subjects with HPG. These findings may have implications for understanding how slowing carbohydrate absorption may influence diabetes risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]