Influence of Different Wavelengths of Evening Indoor Lighting on Salivary Secretion and Cutaneous Temperature of the Feet

The experiment investigated the effect of light wavelength upon salivary secretion and cutaneous temperature of the foot in humans. Seven healthy young female students served as participants. They spent three nights in a bioclimatic chamber controlled at 26 °C and 60%. Participants were exposed to two different wavelengths of light from 1800 to 2400 h on second day and third day: 1) Fluorescent light (FL) with short wavelengths and a high color temperature (6,500 K); 2) Incandescent light (IL) with long wavelengths and a low color temperature (3,000 K). Light intensity was 400 lx in both conditions. Saliva was collected every 10 min from 2100 to 2200 h, and from 2300 to 2400 h on the second and third days, by a Lashley cup fixed to the parotid gland. The mean salivary secretion rate between 2100 and 2200 h was 15.27±2.86 g/h (Mean±SEM, N=7) in the IL condition and 10.80±2.97 g/h in the FL condition (p<0.011) and, between 2300 and 2400 h, 14.98±3.80 g/h in the IL condition and 11.55±2.60 g/h in the FL condition (p<0.057). Foot skin temperature was significantly higher in IL than FL during the period 1800–2400 h. These findings suggest that the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for serous saliva flow, is less suppressed by IL condition, and that the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for vasoconstriction of foot skin vessels, is less activated by IL

Iryzyna w świetle najnowszego piśmiennictwa

Irisin is an adipomyokine, which promotes the increase of non-shivering thermogenesis andwhich levels are affected by physical activity. Numerous studies have shown its relationshipto the body’s energy balance, the occurrence of insulin resistance, and components of metabolicsyndrome. It was noted that the serum concentration of irisin is significantly higher inobese subjects. Furthermore, irisin resistance has also been reported. It was discovered that,in response to reduced insulin sensitivity, an increase in the production of this adipomyokineoccurs. Irisin is involved in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. Multiple scientific havealso suggested the importance of diet in modulating the concentration of irisin. The DASH diet(Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and low glycemic index diet have been shown toexert the most beneficial impact on the ser um level of irisin. F urther studies are needed toexplore the role of low levels of irisin in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.Iryzyna jest adipomiokiną, która sprzyja wzmożonej termogenezie bezdrżeniowej. Na jej sekrecję wpływa też aktywność fizyczna. Wyniki licznych badań wykazały związek iryzyny z równowagą energetyczną organizmu, zjawiskiem insulinooporności oraz składowymi zespołu metabolicznego. Zaobserwowano, że stężenie iryzyny w surowicy jest większe u osób otyłych. Wykazano również występowanie zjawiska oporności na iryzynę. Obserwuje się, że w odpowiedzi na obniżoną insulinowrażliwość następuje zwiększone wytwarzanie danej adipomiokiny. Iryzyna bierze udział w regulacji gospodarki węglowodanowej. Coraz więcej doniesień naukowych wskazuje na znaczenie sposobu żywienia w modulowaniu jej stężenia. Wykazano, że dieta DASH  oraz dieta o niskim indeksie glikemicznym, najkorzystniej wpływają na stężenie iryzyny w surowicy. Konieczne są dalsze badania nad rolą niskiego stężenia iryzyny w patogenezie cukrzycy typu 2

Moderate Caloric Restriction Partially Improved Oxidative Stress Markers in Obese Humans

Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in obesity. Therefore, we investigated whether moderate and short-term calorie restriction (CR) reflects a real-life situation, mediates weight loss, and improves oxidative stress markers. We analyzed oxidative stress markers in patients with obesity undergoing moderate CR. Serum oxidative stress markers (myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant status (TAS), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (generation by endothelial cells in vitro)) were measured in 53 subjects (mean BMI 37.8 ± 5.9 kg/m2) who underwent 8 weeks of CR, which included a reduction of 300–500 kcal/day. MPO was the most CR-sensitive parameter. The mean level of serum MPO in patients with obesity was 20% higher than that in post CR intervention (p &lt; 0.001). SOD increased by 12% after CR (p &lt; 0.05), which was largely due to the improvement in glucose tolerance and the reduction in insulin resistance after CR. Other tested parameters were not modified during the treatment. CR resulted in an expected decrease in body weight (by 5.9 ± 4.6 kg, p &lt; 0.0001) and other anthropometric parameters. Additionally, it was accompanied by a significant change in hsCRP, hsTNF alpha, hsIL-6, leptin (all p &lt; 0.0001), and HOMA-IR (p &lt; 0.05). Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were also partially improved. Short-term, moderate CR partially improves antioxidant capacity but is enough to substantially change anthropometric parameters in obese patients. Our observations indicate that mimicking real-life situations and low-cost dietary intervention can be successfully implemented in obesity treatment with a simultaneous moderate effect on antioxidant status

Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) oil impact on the oxidative metabolism of neutrophils in the obese patients*

Context: Amaranth and canola oils have been used traditionally. Amaranth has been identified as being of interest because of its outstanding nutritive value. Amaranth oil is a rich source of highly unsaturated fats and so could be a valuable dietary alternative for individuals affected with obesity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are postulated to be involved in systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) generate high amounts of reactive oxygen species. Objective: Our study investigates the impact of amaranth and canola oils supplementation on oxidative metabolism in patients with obesity. We hypothesized that, due to its lipid-lowering and antioxidant properties, amaranth and canola oil would protect against oxidative stress. Materials and methods: We tested 19 obese patients [body mass index (BMI) = 41.1 ± 7.8 kg/m2, (mean ± SD)]. The protocol consisted of two stages: a run-in phase of 2 weeks and an experimental stage – canola or amaranth oil supplementation (20 mL/d) with calorie restriction diet for 3 weeks. The neutrophil oxidative burst was expressed by fluorescence intensity (IF). Results: The oxidative burst had increased significantly at the end of treatment in both groups IF: (21.4 ± 11.15 vs. 35.9 ± 20.3; mean ± SD) p < 0.05. The levels of IF were significantly higher in neutrophils of patients who received canola oil (41.05 ± 25.3) compared to those who received amaranth oil (28.4 ± 11.8) p < 0.05. Conclusions: Canola oil exerts possible effects on oxidative burst activity in neutrophils in vivo conditions

No Significant Effect of the Individual Chronotype on the Result of Moderate Calorie Restriction for Obesity—A Pilot Study

Background: Chronotype is the pattern of the circadian rhythm that allows an individual to optimize times of sleep and activity. It has been observed that chronotypes may associate with some conditions and diseases, including obesity. It is not known, however, whether chronotypes determine the effectiveness of weight loss regimens. Therefore, in the present study, we compared the outcomes of a 3-week moderate calorie restriction undertaken by individuals with obesity under the same controlled hospital conditions. Methods: A total of 131 participants with obesity (median BMI 40.0) were studied. The subjects underwent the same dietary intervention over 3 weeks, with a 30% reduction in daily caloric intake. The individual chronotypes were assessed by the morning and evening questionnaire (MEQ) according to Horne and Östberg. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed by routine methods. Results: Of all patients examined, 75% had the morning (lark) chronotype and 25% had the evening (owl) chronotype. These patient sub-groups did not differ in terms of demographic, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics at baseline. After 3 weeks of calorie restriction, both groups experienced a similar loss of weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) (3.4 ± 0.38% for larks vs. 4.1 ± 0.47% for owls, p = 0.45), with owls exhibiting a marginally greater loss of body fat (3.1 ± 0.79%) compared with larks (2.6 ± 0.64%), p = 0.02. On the other hand, the larks had a more discernable, but not statistically significant from owls, decrease in glycated haemoglobin and CRP (C Reactive Protein). Conclusions: The chronotype of individuals with obesity does not have a significant effect on the magnitude of the body weight loss, but there is a tendency observed towards the reduction in body fat content in owls through changing their meal and sleep timing to earlier hours, in response to moderate calorie restriction applied under the same controlled conditions

Effect of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Supplementation on Vascular Endothelial Cell Morphology and Function in Patients with Dyslipidaemia&mdash;A Preliminary Observation

Context: Flaxseed has a characteristic fatty acids composition and unique phytonutrient profile that may have health-promoting properties. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of 10 weeks of supplementation with the flaxseed (28 g/day) on endothelial cells (EC) function, serum lipids and proinflammatory mediators in patients with mild and severe dyslipidaemia. Materials and methods: Eleven lean patients with severe dyslipidaemia treated with apheresis (group 1; 10 weeks treated in four phases: (i) ordinary diet, (ii) ordinary diet + flaxseed, (iii) ordinary diet (wash out), (iv) ordinary diet + placebo) and eleven obese patients with mild dyslipidaemia&mdash;not treated with apheresis (group 2; 10 weeks treated in two phases: (i) ordinary diet, (ii) low fat diet + flaxseed). Flaxseed was given blindly. Serum was collected at the end of each phase of the study. ECs were exposed in vitro to the medium supplemented with pooled serum taken from patients from both groups to detect their morphological changes using light and electron microscopy. ECs proliferation was also measured at the end of each study phase. Results: Serum vascular endothelial growth factor was decreased after flaxseed supplementation but only in group 1. ECs proliferation was increased after flaxseed supplementation only in obese patients. ECs exposed to medium supplemented with obese patients&rsquo; serum revealed the following cellular abnormalities: accumulation of lipid droplets, changes of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and flaxseed did not reverse observed changes. At the same time, flaxseed supplementation decreases total cholesterol in both tested groups, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in group 1 and triglycerides in group 2. Conclusions: Our findings support the potential role of flaxseed in treating dyslipidaemia but indicate only a slight impact on endothelial cell function