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SCOPE The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of milk powder co-supplemented with inulin and resistant dextrin (MPCIR) on elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS AND RESULTS A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is carried out among elderly T2DM patients. The subjects recruited from the community are randomly assigned to either the MPCIR group or placebo group for 12 weeks intervention. Each group receives 45 g milk powder with or without inulin and resistant dextrin. Anthropometric and metabolic variables are measured. For the MPCIR group, systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP are reduced significantly by 5.45 and 4.56 mm Hg (p < 0.001, vs placebo group), respectively. Compared with the placebo group, the fasting and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose levels, glycosylated serum protein, and insulin resistance index of the MPCIR group are significantly decreased by 0.96 mmol L-1 , 1.47 mmol L-1 , 16.33 μmol L-1 , and 0.65 respectively (p < 0.001). The MPCIR group shows an increase by 7.09 μIU mL-1 and 20.43 in 2-h postprandial insulin (p = 0.016) and β-cell function index (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION MPCIR supplementation helps to improve glycemic control, insulin resistance, and blood pressure.

Phytosterols (PSs) are reported to lower the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations enriched in some fatty foods, such as margarine. However, these high-fat foods are not very suitable for older people. Soy milk is the favorite food for elderly people in China; therefore, we hypothesized that the consumption of soy milk powder supplemented with PSs would decrease the serum cholesterol levels in older Chinese people independent of the genotypes of apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Mild to moderate hyperlipidemic patients (n = 170) were recruited from different communities and treated with placebo soy milk powder or 3.4 g PS esters-enriched soy milk powder (2.0 g/d free PS in 30 g soy milk powder). The fasting serum lipid profiles at the baseline and after 3 and 6 months of intervention were measured. The ApoE genotype was also determined. After 3 months of PS intervention, the serum lipid profile was not changed significantly in either group. The serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non- high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased by 9.3%, 11.4%, and 12.6%, respectively, in the PS group at the end of the intervention (6 months) compared with the control group, whereas the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not affected significantly. In the PS group, both the ApoE3 and ApoE4 carriers had a similar response to PS consumption. These findings suggested that PS-fortified soy milk powder was effective in lowering the serum cholesterol levels in older Chinese volunteers with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia in both the ApoE3 and ApoE4 carriers.

To explore the effect of Bushen Gujin Recipe (BGR) on serum and synovial expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) model rabbits.Totally 36 8-month-old healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the Western medicine group (Meloxicam, at the daily dose of 6 mg/kg), and the TCM group (BGR, at the daily dose of 53 g/kg), 9 in each group. Modeling was performed in all rabbits except those in the normal control group by using Hulth A method. All medication was performed for 8 consecutive weeks. Contents of IL-1 and TNF-α were detected using ELISA from serum, partial synovial tissue of the front knee joint, cartilage and subchondral bone of the medial femoral condyle.The joint space became narrowed in the Western medicine group, ranging between the model group and the TCM group. The articular surface was rough with obvious osteophytes. The joint space was slightly narrower in the TCM group; the articular surface was slightly rough with mild osteophytes. Compared with the normal control group, contents of IL-1 and TNF-α in serum and synovial increased in the model group (P0.01). Compared with the model group, contents of IL-1 and TNF-α in serum and the synovial fluid decreased in the two treatment groups (P0.01). There was no statistical difference in contents of IL-1 and TNF-α between the Western medicine group and the TCM group.BGR promoted the synthesis of cartilage matrix and carti- lage repair through inhibiting the secretion of IL-1 and TNF-α, and prolonging cartilage degeneration.

Background The coverage of HIV testing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) remains low after the scale-up of free HIV testing at government-sponsored testing sites. We evaluated the feasibility of home-based HIV self-testing and the willingness to be HIV tested at community-based organizations (CBO). Methods We recruited MSM via on-line advertisement, where they completed an on-line informed consent and subsequent questionnaire survey. Eligible MSM received HIV rapid testing kits by mail, performed the test themselves and reported the result remotely. Results Of the 220 men taking a home-based HIV self-testing, 33 MSM (15%) were seropositive. Nearly 65% of the men reported that they were willing to take HIV testing at CBO, while 28% preferred receiving free HIV testing in the government programs at local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Older and lower-income MSM, those who self-reported homosexual orientation, men with no history of sexually transmitted diseases and a lower number of sexual partners in the past six months were associated with preference for taking HIV testing at CBOs. The top three self-reported existing barriers for HIV testing were: no perception of HIV risk (56%), fear of an HIV positive result being reported to the government (41%), and fear of a positive HIV test result (36%). Conclusion Home-based HIV self-testing is an alternative approach for increasing the coverage of HIV testing among Chinese MSM. CBO-based HIV testing is a potential alternative, but further studies are needed to evaluate its feasibility.