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Xanthigen® is a nutraceutical combination of two well-known natural products, brown seaweed extract (rich in fucoxanthin) and pomegranate seed oil (rich in punicic acid), and it has been designed to use in weight management, in conjunction with a calorie restricted diet. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans Xanthigen® treatment caused a significant reduction in lipid deposition in wild-type N2 (WT-N2) animals but not in sirt-2.1-deficient strain, which raises the possibility that the prolipolytic or anti-lipogenic effect of Xanthigen® in these animals is mediated through Sirtuin 2.1 activation. This response has been well described for Xanthigen® in cell cultures and other animal models. In addition, Xanthigen® treatment conferred to both strains an increased resistance to thermal and oxidative stress, which opens the possibility that the effects of Xanthigen® are not mediated solely by Sirtuin 2.1 activation. We therefore explored whether Xanthigen® could activate diverse defence mechanisms such as DAF-16 activation, or GST induction in response to xenobiotics, by using the strains TJ356, CL2070 and CL2166, stably expressing Pdaf-16::GFP, Phsp-16.2::GFP and Pgst-4::GFP, respectively. Xanthigen® treatment provoked neither DAF-16 translocation to the nucleus nor increased expression of HSP16.2 and GST4, which opens the possibility that different mechanisms other than DAF-16 and those involved in xenobiotic responses, are activated by Xanthigen® and are capable of conferring to the nematode an increased resistance to thermal or oxidative stress.

Background This study was designed to evaluate the beneficial effects of a botanical extract combination containing soy isoflavone extract (100mg), Aframomum melegueta seed dry extract (50 mg), and Punica granatum skin dry extract (100mg) on health-related Quality of Life in healthy Spanish menopausal women with hot flashes, anxiety, and depressive symptoms using the validated Cervantes Scale. Methods and results Fifty-seven outpatient women (45–65 years) with menstrual problems associated with climacteric syndrome were enrolled from April 2018 to April 2019 in the context of a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Women were randomized to receive treatment with either the botanical combination (250 mg daily divided into two doses) or placebo for eight weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, health-related Quality of Life was assessed using the Cervantes Scale. Subjects treated with the botanical extract, compared to subjects in the placebo group, showed a significant improvement in the Global health-related Quality of Life score (38% [11.3–50.0]% vs. 18.8% [0–37.7]%; P = 0.04) on the Cervantes Scale and, specifically, in the menopause and health domain (13.6% [0–45.4]% vs. 40.7% [20.6–61.0]%; P = 0.05). By contrast, there were no significant changes in the psychic, sexuality, and couple relationship related domains of the Cervantes Scale. Patients who concluded the study did not report substantial side effects. Conclusion Short-term intake of the botanical combination improved the Global Quality of Life of climateric women, according to the Cervantes Scale. Since this is a pilot trial, results should be analysed with caution. Trial registration NCT04381026; ClinicalTrial.gov (retrospectively registered).

Ethnobotanical relevance Leaves of Mangifera indica L. have folk-uses in tropical regions of the world as health teas, as a remedy for exhaustion and fatigue, as a vegetable, and as a medicine. Mangifera indica leaf extract (MLE) had previously been demonstrated to alter brain electrical activity in-vivo. The aim of the present series of studies was to investigate whether mangiferin, a major compound in leaves and in MLE, is responsible for the neurocognitive activity of MLE, and if the CNS activities of MLE have translational potential. Materials and methods MLE, tradename Zynamite, is produced by Nektium Pharma, Spain. Isolated mangiferin was tested in-vitro in radioligand binding and enzyme inhibition studies against 106 CNS targets. Changes in the electroencephalograms (EEG’s) of MLE and mangiferin were recorded in-vivo from four brain regions. Two double blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover clinical trials were conducted, each with 16 subjects. At 90 min and at 60 min respectively, after oral intake of 500 mg MLE, EEG recordings, psychometric tests, mood state, and tolerability were studied. Results Isolated mangiferin is a selective inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) with an IC50 of 1.1 μM, with no activity on the CNS targets of caffeine. Both mangiferin and MLE induce similar changes in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus in-vitro, and induce a similar pattern of EEG changes in-vivo. In both translational clinical trials MLE was well tolerated, with no cardiovascular side-effects. In both studies MLE caused significant spectral changes in brain electrical activity in cortical regions during cognitive challenges, different to the attenuated spectral changes induced by caffeine. There were no significant changes in the psychometric tests other than reaction time for all groups. In the second study there was a trend to faster reaction time within group for MLE (p = 0.066) and the percentage improvement in reaction time for MLE compared to placebo was significant (p = 0.049). In the first study MLE improved all scores for Profile of Mood States (POMS), with the score for “fatigue” significantly improved (p = 0.015); in the second study the POMS score for “dejection” was improved in the caffeine group, p = 0.05. Conclusions Mangiferin is a COMT inhibitor of moderate potency and is the major CNS-active compound in MLE. Both mangiferin and MLE increase hippocampal LTP in-vitro, and induce a similar pattern of changes in brain electrical activity in-vivo. While the translational clinical trials of MLE are limited by being single dose studies in a small number of subjects, they provide the first clinical evidence that the extract is well tolerated with no cardiovascular side-effects, can induce changes in brain electrical activity, may give a faster reaction time, and decrease fatigue. These CNS activities support the reported folk-uses use of mango leaf tea as a substitute for tea and as a traditional remedy for fatigue and exhaustion. Extract Mangifera indica L., Zynamite, has nootropic potential, and larger clinical studies are needed to realise this potential.

Preclinical studies and small clinical trials suggest that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) may have a positive effect on ventricular function. Liraglutide is a GLP1-analogue used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. LIPER2 is a phase IV, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design trial, assessing the effect of 6 months’ liraglutide 1.8 mg/d on measures of cardiac function and physical performance in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 30 patients with type 2 diabetes will be included, if their HbA1c is between 7 and 10% while on oral agents (including metformin if tolerated and not contraindicated), a maximum of 2 intermediate or long-acting insulin injections per day or a combination of both. After their baseline examinations, patients are randomised to receive a daily subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo injection (titrated to 1.8 mg/d if tolerated) for 6 months. The primary end-point is the maximal oxygen consumption during cycle ergometry at the end of the study period. Other end-points include distance covered during a 6-min walk test, left ventricular ejection fraction and other measures of ventricular systolic and diastolic functions assessed by echocardiography, heart rate, blood pressure, pro-brain natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, HbA1c, lipids, apolipoprotein B, body weight and waist girth. Safety end-points include adverse event reporting, blood count, kidney and liver function, amylase, lipase, electrolytes, calcitonin, CA19.9 and pregnancy test for fertile women. At the time of this report, recruitment is still ongoing. Results are expected to be reported in December 2016.

Aims Oral testimonies from North Africa attribute anti-diabetic effects to medicinal preparations of the lizard Uromastyx acanthinura (UA). No scientific evidence of such effects is currently available. The acute effects of oral administration of UA to C57Bl/6J mice with diet-induced diabetes were tested and, if effectiveness was shown, the effect of subchronic UA administration was assessed in the same model. Methods Mice were fed a diet containing 60% fat for at least 12 weeks. To assess acute effects, different doses of UA or saline were orally administered with 2 g of glucose/kg during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on different days in a randomised crossover design. The most effective dose was then fed together with the high-fat diet for 90 days and compared to high-fat diet alone in a parallel design. Body weight (BW), food consumption, welfare, and external appearance were assessed weekly. HbA1c, OGTT, and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests (IPITT) were performed at baseline and after treatment. Severity of neuropathy was evaluated by cold allodynia response in the acetone test. Results UA significantly decreased glucose levels as compared to saline 15 min after administration. After 90 days of treatment, no differences were seen in OGTT or HbA1c between the groups, while IPITT showed higher glucose levels in UA-treated animals. Although weight increase was similar in both groups, weight tended to be higher in the treated group, which had a significantly higher daily food consumption. Cold allodynia response improved in frequency and intensity in the UA group. Conclusions Orally administered UA acutely decreased blood glucose in diabetic mice. Paradoxically, long-term administration of UA increased food consumption, weight, and insulin resistance. Improved nociceptive response suggested an effect on pain and/or neuropathy. Although additional studies are needed to elucidate the properties and potential applications of UA, our results highlight the value of ethnomedical approaches to African traditional medicine as starting point to evaluate new bioactive components.

It remains unknown whether polyphenols such as luteolin (Lut), mangiferin and quercetin (Q) have ergogenic effects during repeated all-out prolonged sprints. Here we tested the effect of Mangifera indica L. leaf extract (MLE) rich in mangiferin (Zynamite®) administered with either quercetin (Q) and tiger nut extract (TNE), or with luteolin (Lut) on sprint performance and recovery from ischemia-reperfusion. Thirty young volunteers were randomly assigned to three treatments 48h before exercise. Treatment A: placebo (500 mg of maltodextrin/day); B: 140 mg of MLE (60% mangiferin) and 50 mg of Lut/day; and C: 140 mg of MLE, 600 mg of Q and 350 mg of TNE/day. After warm-up, subjects performed two 30s Wingate tests and a 60s all-out sprint interspaced by 4-min recovery periods. At the end of the 60-s sprint the circulation of both legs was instantaneously occluded for 20s. Then, the circulation was re-opened and a 15-s sprint performed, followed by 10 s recovery with open circulation, and another 15-s final sprint. MLE supplements enhanced peak (Wpeak) and mean (Wmean) power output by 5.0-7.0% (P

Background Portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) allow easy glucose measurements. As animal-specific PBGMs are not available everywhere, those for humans are widely used. Objectives To assess the accuracy and precision of 9 PBGMs in canine whole blood (WB) and plasma, based on the ISO 15197:2013. Animals Fifty-nine client-owned dogs attending the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Methods Analytical evaluation of 100 blood samples was performed for accuracy and 23 for precision (glucose 29–579 mg/dL) following ISO recommendations. A PBGM was considered accurate if 95% of the measurements were within ±15 mg/dL from the reference when glucose was

Urinary albumin excretion has been consistently found to be normal in a significant number of subjects with early stages of diabetic kidney disease. This study was aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of non-albuminuric chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus among subjects who reach advanced stages of renal failure. Study population was composed of incident patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (glomerular filtration rate30 mL/min) related to type 2 diabetes in a tertiary hospital from Gran Canaria (Spain) during a period of 2 years. Subjects were classified as normoalbuminuric (urinary albumin-to-creatine ratio [UACR]30 mg/g), microalbuminuric (UACR ≥30 and300 mg/g), or proteinuric (UACR ≥300 mg/g). Of 78 eligible patients, 21.8% had normoalbuminuria, 20.5% had microalbuminuria, and 57.7% had proteinuria. Individuals with normoalbuminuria were mostly women and had a lower prevalence of smoking and polyneuropathy than subjects with microalbuminuria or proteinuria. They also presented greater measures of body mass index and waist circumference, higher values of total and LDL cholesterol, and lower values of HbA1c and serum creatinine than subjects with microalbuminuria or proteinuria. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that female sex (positively) and HbA1c and polyneuropathy (negatively) were independently associated with absence of albuminuria. In conclusion, around 20% of subjects with diabetes-related advanced chronic kidney disease, characteristically women, have normal urinary albumin excretion. HbA1c and polyneuropathy are inversely related to this non-albuminuric form of nephropathy.

Nutrition is a key component in the treatment of diabetes, and an extensive body of research is proof of the interest it elicits. Recommendations to patients have changed dramatically in the past century: before the discovery of insulin, patients were advised to fast or to base their intake on protein and fat. Carbohydrate allowance was progressively increased after insulin became available and current guidelines no longer recommend a certain percentage of total caloric intake in the form of any macronutrient. Present recommendations aim at promoting cardiovascular health and adjusting treatment to carbohydrate intake, the latter especially in people with type 1 diabetes. The aim of this chapter is to review available, clinically relevant evidence on dietary interventions in the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their complications.

Resumen Fundamento y objetivo El consumo de pescado se ha asociado a un menor riesgo de mortalidad cardiovascular. Pacientes y metodo Se siguio a un total de 31 pacientes con evidencia clinica y angiografica de enfermedad coronaria sin datos de insuficiencia cardiaca. Se anadio al tratamiento habitual un gramo al dia de esteres etilicos de acidos grasos omega-3 al 90%. Se determinaron parametros demograficos, clinicos y analiticos (lipidograma, velocidad de sedimentacion globular [VSG], proteina C reactiva [PCR], fibrinogeno, lipoproteina [a] y propeptido natriuretico cerebral [proBNP]) al inicio y a los 9 meses. Resultados Seis pacientes presentaron eventos cardiologicos en el seguimiento, aunque ninguno presento sindrome coronario agudo. De los parametros analiticos estudiados existieron diferencias significativas, entre el inicio y el final del seguimiento, en las cifras de colesterol unido a lipoproteinas de alta densidad (colesterol HDL, media [DE] de 38,5 [9,6] frente a 42,1 [11,0] mg/dL, p = 0,000), hemoglobina (media de 13,2 [1,7] frente a 13,9 [1,7] g/dL, p = 0,009) y pro-BNP (media de 745,5 [1.035,7] frente a 235,8 [194,0] pg/dL, p = 0,008). No existieron diferencias significativas en los parametros inflamatorios ni en los valores de colesterol total, colesterol unido a lipoproteinas de baja densidad (colesterol LDL) ni trigliceridos. Conclusion Un gramo al dia de acidos grasos omega-3 contribuye a una mejoria en los valores de pro-BNP en pacientes con cardiopatia isquemica y funcion ventricular izquierda global conservada, sin modificar los parametros inflamatorios.

Background: This study aimed to examine the changes in serum lipids in children with mild hypercholesterolemia after the use of skim milk or olive-oil-enriched skim milk in their diet and the modulation of lipid levels by the Taq 1B polymorphism in the cholesteryl-ester transfer protein gene. Methods: Thirty-six prepubertal children with mild hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned in a crossover design into 2 groups of 16 and 20 individuals. Both groups received, in sequential inverse order, the 2 types of milk for 2 periods of 6 weeks. Results: Carriers of at least 1 B2 allele had an adjusted basal HDL cholesterol level significantly higher than children with the B1B1 genotype (1.291 mmol/l, 95% CI: 1.184–1.397, vs. 1.082 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.931–1.233; p = 0.027). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the adjusted basal levels of apolipoprotein A-I (B2 carriers: 1.292 g/l, 95% CI: 1.218–1.367; B1B1 genotype: 1.215 g/l, 95% CI: 1.109–1.320; p = 0.223). The intake of olive-oil-enriched skim milk caused significant increases in HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I, both in B2 (0.089 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.032–0.146, p = 0.005; 0.55 g/l, 95% CI: 0.012–0.098; p = 0.018) and in B1B1 carriers (0.179 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.096–0.262; p < 0.001; and 0.095 g/l, 95% CI: 0.032–0.157; p = 0.003). This increase in HDL cholesterol was significantly higher in the B1B1 group (p = 0.049). Conclusion: The consumption of skim milk enriched with olive oil increases the HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels in children with hypercholesterolemia, this effect being more intense in carriers of the B1B1 genotype.

Introduccion y objetivos En el sindrome coronario agudo se produce un fenomeno inflamatorio con alteracion de diversos marcadores analiticos. Su conocimiento podria ayudarnos a estratificar mejor el riesgo y a elegir el tratamiento mas adecuado. Metodos Se estudio a 151 pacientes consecutivos ingresados con sindrome coronario agudo sin elevacion del ST (SCASEST) y sindrome coronario agudo con elevacion del ST (SCACEST). Se determinaron los factores de riesgo cardiovascular clasicos (diabetes mellitus, hipertension arterial, hipercolesterolemia, antecedentes familiares y personales de cardiopatia isquemica y tabaquismo) y diversos marcadores analiticos entre los que se incluyeron la insulinemia, el fibrinogeno, la proteina C reactiva, la lipoproteina (a) y la velocidad de sedimentacion globular. Resultados Del total de pacientes, 88 (58,3%) presentaron SCASEST y 63 (41,7%), SCACEST. Los pacientes con SCASEST tuvieron de forma significativa una incidencia mayor de diabetes mellitus y de antecedentes personales de cardiopatia isquemica que los que presentaron SCACEST. En los pacientes con SCACEST se obtuvieron de forma significativa cifras mas elevadas de fibrinogeno, proteina C reactiva, transaminasa glutamicoxalacetica y transaminasa glutamico piruvica. El analisis multivariante mostro que la diabetes mellitus y los antecedentes personales eran mas frecuentes en pacientes con SCASEST, mientras que los valores de fibrinogeno eran mas elevados en pacientes con SCACEST. Conclusiones Los pacientes diabeticos y con antecedentes personales de cardiopatia isquemica presentaron SCASEST de forma mas frecuente. De los parametros estudiados, el fibrinogeno se encontro de forma significativa mas elevado en los pacientes con SCACEST.

The relationship between the metabolic syndrome and mild chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been extensively studied. This study was aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with the metabolic syndrome among subjects with advanced stages of nondiabetes-related CKD.Study population was composed of incident patients with advanced CKD not related to diabetes in a tertiary hospital from Gran Canaria (Spain) since February 2011 to December 2014. Participants fulfilled a survey questionnaire and underwent physical examination and biochemical evaluation.The sample was composed of 167 subjects (mean age 63.9 ± 13.7 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate 21.9 ± 6.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 68.9% (65.2% in men and 73.3% in women). Highest rates were observed in groups with chronic interstitial nephropathy (80%), CKD of uncertain etiology (76.7%) and CKD related to vascular causes (76.2%). Subjects with metabolic syndrome were older, had higher values of C-reactive protein and more often reported to have first-degree relatives with diabetes and to be physically inactive. In multivariate analyses, age (OR: 1.034 [CI 95%: 1.004-1.065]; p = 0.024) and family history of diabetes (OR: 2.550 [1.159-5.608]; p = 0.020) were independently associated with the metabolic syndrome.The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among subjects with advanced nondiabetes-related CKD is high, and greater than that observed in general Canarian population of similar age groups. Age and family history of diabetes are the two factors more strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome in this population.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects categorized differently by A1C- and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-based diagnostic criteria for diabetes according to the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS An OGTT, A1C, and several cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 964 individuals without known diabetes participating in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey in Gran Canaria, Spain. RESULTS Taking the OGTT as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of an A1C value ≥6.5% were 38.7 and 99.6%, respectively. Subjects who fulfilled A1C-based criterion presented greater measures of BMI and waist circumference, lower values for HDL cholesterol, and higher values for fasting plasma glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and fibrinogen than subjects with diabetic OGTT but A1C CONCLUSIONS Newly diagnosed diabetic individuals who fulfill A1C-based diagnostic criterion for the disease display a more unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile than individuals who only meet the glucose-based criteria.

This study analyses discordance rates between attainment of therapeutic goals for apolipoprotein B100 (apoB) and both low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in a sample of 152 patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease from Gran Canaria (Spain), using treatment targets recommended by the American Diabetes Association/American College of Cardiology (ADA/ACC), the European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) and by a Spanish population-based study. Among subjects with LDL-C levels at therapeutic goal, apoB was above target in 16.3% (ADA/ACC), 6.5% (ESC/EAS) and 39.1% (population-based criteria), and among subjects with non-HDL-C levels at therapeutic goal, apoB was above target in 10.5% (ADA/ACC), 1.2% (ESC/EAS) and 29.6% (population-based criteria). These findings show that clinical management would be very differently altered depending on the criteria used to set treatment targets for apoB. Cut-off points derived from population data identify a greater number of subjects suitable for a more intensive lipid-lowering therapy.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has turned into a prevalent cause of morbi-mortality contributing some polymorphisms in the recurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Methods: Three hundred and fifty six patients with first myocardial infarction (MI) were followed up during a 60-month period to find out if ACE I/D, AT1R A1166C, PAI-I 4G/5G and GPIIIa a1/a2 polymorphisms, in combination with other classical cardiovascular risk factors, can contribute to the relapse of MACE. Results: Two hundred and eighty five (80.1%) men and 71 (19.9%) women were followed up after first MI. The primary clinical endpoint, a composite of MACE, was reached in 106 (29.8%) patients. In the Cox univariate survival analysis those risk factors influencing a poorer prognosis were age (p = 0.004), a positive family history of CAD (p = 0.007), diabetes (p = 0.004), smoking (p = 0.024), fibrinolytic therapy (p = 0.012) and having 2 or 3 vessels CAD (p = 0.046). Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that patients with the DD genotype had a 1.5 increased risk of having an unfavorable outcome when compared with No-DD genotype patients (RR 1.561, 95% CI 1.048–2.326, p = 0.028) and that patients with the ACE DD genotype plus the AT1R No-AA genotype, the GPIIIa No-a1a1 genotype or a combination of both, had a twice higher risk than any other genotype of MACE in the follow-up (RR 1.978, 95% CI 1.286–3.043, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Patients with the ACE DD genotype plus 1 or 2 unfavorable genotypes, the AT1R No-AA, the GPIIIa No-a1a1 or a combination of both, have twice higher the risk of MACE during their clinical follow-up.

The consumption of fish has been associated with a minor risk of cardiovascular mortality.Thirty-one patients with clinical and angiographic evidence of coronary illness and no data of heart failure were followed up. One gram per day of omega-3-acid ethyl esters was added to their usual cardiologic treatment. Demographic, clinical and analytical data (lipid, ESR, CRP, lipoprotein[a], fibrinogen, and BNP levels) were evaluated at the beginning and at 9 months.Six patients had cardiologic events in the follow up although none presented acute coronary syndrome. Significant differences were seen in HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) (38,5[9,6] vs. 42,1 (11,0), p=0,000), hemoglobin (g/dL) (13,2 [1,7] vs. 13,9 (1,7), p=0,009) and pro-BNP (pg/dL) (745,5 [1,035,7] vs. 235,8 [194,0], p=0,008) levels. No significant differences existed either in the inflammatory parameters or in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.One gram day of omega-3-acid ethyl esters added to the usual cardiologic treatment in patients with coronary heart disease improves pro BNP levels of patients with preserved left ventricular function without modifying serum inflammatory parameters.

Atherosclerosis has been correlated with known cardiovascular risk factors such as serum glucose or lipid levels. Because congenital heart disease patients tend to survive until adulthood, atherosclerosis has also become a matter of concern in these patients. One hundred fifty-eight congenital heart disease patients and 152 patients selected at random from the population were studied and compared to determine serum glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides levels. Both groups had similar socioeconomic status levels and the same environmental influences. Significant differences were seen between congenital heart disease patients and the control group, after sex, age, and body mass index adjustment, in fasting plasma glucose (97.7 [94.2-101.2] vs 86.9 [83.2-90.7], P < .001), total cholesterol (171.5 [165.7-177.3] vs 199.8 [90.7-206.0], P < .001), LDL cholesterol (103.9 [98.8-108.8] vs 123.8 [118.5-129.1], P < .001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (48.1 [46.2-50.0] vs 54.2 [52.1-56.2], P < .001) levels. Nonsignificant differences were seen in triglycerides concentrations. Those patients with ventricular septal defect, coarctation of the aorta, and cyanosis had the lowest total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations. Congenital heart disease patients have lower plasma cholesterol concentrations and higher serum glucose levels than noncongenital ones.

Background and aims Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is an enzyme with a key role in lipoprotein metabolism. A common genetic polymorphism, the Taq 1B, influences CETP activity and HDL-cholesterol levels, with individual homozygotes for the B1 allele exhibiting higher enzyme activity and lower HDL-cholesterol levels than carriers of at least one B2 allele. Our aim was to analyze the influence of Taq 1B CETP polymorphism on cardiovascular risk factors in a representative sample of adult subjects from Canary population. Methods and result A total of 518 adult subjects from the Canary Islands, enrolled in a nutritional survey (the ENCA study), were included. The Taq 1B polymorphism was analyzed by PCR–RFLP. Compared with individuals with at least one B2 allele, and after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, waist perimeter, smoking and alcohol intake, carriers of the B1B1 genotype showed lower HDL-cholesterol levels (geometric mean (95% CI): 46.6 (44.5–48.8) vs. 50.6 (49.1–52.9) mg/dl; P = 0.003); and higher insulin (geometric mean (95% CI): 11.1 (10.5–11.9) vs. 10.0 (9.5–10.5 μU/ml; P = 0.008) and HOMA levels (geometric mean (95% CI): 2.3 (2.1–2.5) vs. 2.1 (1.9–2.1); P = 0.009). In addition, the B1B1 genotype was more frequent in individuals who had low levels of HDL-cholesterol according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.563; 95% CI: 1.04–2.34; P = 0.030), and in those included in the upper quartile of insulinemia (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.20–3.03; P = 0.007) and HOMA (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.02–2.57; P = 0.043). Conclusion The observed influence of Taq 1B polymorphism on insulin levels and HOMA highlights the possible role of CETP in the regulation of glucose homeostasis.

The human androgen receptor (AR) gene possesses two trinucleotide repeats of CAG and GGN in exon-1. The GGN repeat affects the amount of AR protein translated, while the CAG repeat affects the efficiency of AR transcriptionaly. In this study, we have genotyped these polymorphic tracts in a representative sample of 557 Caucasian adult individuals (314 women and 243 men) from the Canary Islands, Spain (the ENCA Study), and investigated their association with fasting serum levels of lipids, glucose and insulin. The number of CAG repeats in women (expressed as the average length of the two alleles) was inversely correlated with serum levels of LDL-cholesterol (Spearman rho=-0.179; P

Dácil Alvarado-Martel,1,2,* Francesca Cañas,3,* Rebeca Velasco,1 Nuria Alcubierre,3 Laura López-Ríos,1,2 Ferran Rius,4 Francisco Javier Nóvoa,1,2 Armando Carrillo,1,2 Marta Hernández,3,4 Ana María Wägner,1,2,* Dídac Mauricio5,6,* 1Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno-Infantil de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; 2Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; 3Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain; 4Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain; 5Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; 6Health Sciences Research Institute Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain *These authors contributed equally tothiswork Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop, build, and implement a virtual platform equipped with practical tools, relevant contents, and communication rooms, with the aim of facilitating patients’ self-management of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).Materials and methods: The design of the platform was based on the suggestions of T1DM patients who were being managed at two reference hospitals. Patients’ needs and preferences were identified in group discussion sessions. Before having access to the platform, patients underwent a baseline assessment, which included physical examination and the administration of validated questionnaires for evaluation of clinical background, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and well-being.Results: A total of 33 patients were included in the study; 54.5% of them were men, their median age was 34 (18–50) years, the median duration of diabetes was 15 (1–38) years, and the median A1C was 7.4% (6%–12.6%). Based on their suggestions and requests, the online platform EncoDiab was built and organized into four domains: a personal domain, two domains shared by the patients and the staff of each of the two participating hospitals, and one domain that was accessible to all participants. The platform included practical tools (a body mass index calculator, a carbohydrate counting tool, and an insulin-dose calculator), a library with relevant information (documents on prevention and treatment of acute complications, nutrition, exercise, etc), and a chat room.Conclusion: Although the study is still ongoing, our current results demonstrate the feasibility of building and implementing an online platform for helping T1DM patients in the self-management of their disease in the public health setting. Keywords: eHealth, behavioral health, telehealth, education