Consuming Two Eggs per Day, as Compared to an Oatmeal Breakfast, Increases Plasma Ghrelin while Maintaining the LDL/HDL Ratio

Eggs contain high quality protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, yet regular consumption is still met with uncertainty. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of consuming two eggs per day or a heart-healthy oatmeal breakfast on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and satiety measures in a young, healthy population. Fifty subjects participated in a randomized crossover clinical intervention; subjects were randomly allocated to consume either two eggs or one packet of oatmeal per day for breakfast for four weeks. After a three-week washout period, participants were allocated to the alternative breakfast. Fasting blood samples were collected at the end of each intervention period to assess plasma lipids and plasma ghrelin. Subjects completed visual analog scales (VAS) concurrent to dietary records to assess satiety and hunger. Along with an increase in cholesterol intake, there were significant increases in both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol following the egg consumption period (p \u3c 0.01). However, there was no difference in the LDL/HDL ratio, a recognized biomarker of CVD risk, nor in the plasma glucose, triglycerides or liver enzymes, between diet periods. Several self-reported satiety measures were increased following the consumption of eggs, which were associated with lower plasma ghrelin concentrations (p \u3c 0.05). These results demonstrate that compared to an oatmeal breakfast, two eggs per day do not adversely affect the biomarkers associated with CVD risk, but increase satiety throughout the day in a young healthy population

JTT-130, a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitor lowers plasma triglycerides and LDL cholesterol concentrations without increasing hepatic triglycerides in guinea pigs

BACKGROUND: Microsomal transfer protein inhibitors (MTPi) have the potential to be used as a drug to lower plasma lipids, mainly plasma triglycerides (TG). However, studies with animal models have indicated that MTPi treatment results in the accumulation of hepatic TG. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether JTT-130, a unique MTPi, targeted to the intestine, would effectively reduce plasma lipids without inducing a fatty liver. METHODS: Male guinea pigs (n = 10 per group) were used for this experiment. Initially all guinea pigs were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet containing 0.08 g/100 g dietary cholesterol for 3 wk. After this period, animals were randomly assigned to diets containing 0 (control), 0.0005 or 0.0015 g/100 g of MTPi for 4 wk. A diet containing 0.05 g/100 g of atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor was used as the positive control. At the end of the 7(th )week, guinea pigs were sacrificed to assess drug effects on plasma and hepatic lipids, composition of LDL and VLDL, hepatic cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. RESULTS: Plasma LDL cholesterol and TG were 25 and 30% lower in guinea pigs treated with MTPi compared to controls (P < 0.05). Atorvastatin had the most pronounced hypolipidemic effects with a 35% reduction in LDL cholesterol and 40% reduction in TG. JTT-130 did not induce hepatic lipid accumulation compared to controls. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity was reduced in a dose dependent manner by increasing doses of MTPi and guinea pigs treated with atorvastatin had the lowest CETP activity (P < 0.01). In addition the number of molecules of cholesteryl ester in LDL and LDL diameter were lower in guinea pigs treated with atorvastatin. In contrast, hepatic enzymes involved in maintaining cholesterol homeostasis were not affected by drug treatment. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that JTT-130 could have potential clinical applications due to its plasma lipid lowering effects with no alterations in hepatic lipid concentrations

Mechanisms by which pectin and psyllium reverse the hyperlipidemia induced by high fat/sucrose diets in guinea pigs

Dietary components such as high fat, simple carbohydrates and cholesterol have been linked to hyperlipidemia. In contrast, pectin (PE) and psyllium (PSY), two sources of soluble fiber have been shown to reduce plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations.^ These studies were undertaken to determine whether PE or PSY would reverse the hyperlipidemia induced by high fat and simple carbohydrate intake, and to assess some of the primary and secondary mechanisms involved. Due to similarities to humans in lipoprotein profile and responses to dietary factors, guinea pigs were chosen as the animal model.^ When given with low or high fat diets, PE and PSY intake resulted in lower plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations compared to guinea pigs fed cellulose (control group). Higher number of hepatic apo B/E receptors in the PE and PSY groups were associated with lowering of LDL cholesterol. In addition, with high fat diets, plasma and hepatic triacylglycerol concentrations were lower in PE and PSY groups compared to control.^ The mechanisms of plasma lipid lowering were further explored in the high fat group. VLDL apo B secretion rates were slower and LDL fractional catabolic rates faster in guinea pigs fed PE or PSY compared to control animals. LDL particles isolated from guinea pigs fed PE or PSY were cholesteryl ester depleted, $\alpha$-tocopherol enriched and more resistant to oxidation than LDL isolated from the control group.^ Higher fecal bile acid concentrations which correlated with higher hepatic cholesterol 7 $\alpha$-hydroxylase activity, the regulatory enzyme of bile acid synthesis, were observed in guinea pigs fed PE, PSY and cholestyramine, a bile acid binding resin used as a positive control. Guinea pigs fed PE had higher concentrations of fecal neutral sterols than the control group. These results suggest that while the primary mechanisms of PE and PSY in the intestinal lumen appear to be related to interruption of the entero-hepatic circulation of bile acids, PE may also reduce cholesterol absorption.^ These studies demonstrated that PE and PSY not only reverse the hyperlipidemia induced by high fat/sucrose diets but they also decrease the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, both factors associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease.

Bioactive Components in Moringa Oleifera Leaves Protect against Chronic Disease

Moringa Oleifera (MO), a plant from the family Moringacea is a major crop in Asia and Africa. MO has been studied for its health properties, attributed to the numerous bioactive components, including vitamins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, tannins and saponins, which are present in significant amounts in various components of the plant. Moringa Oleifera leaves are the most widely studied and they have shown to be beneficial in several chronic conditions, including hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic liver disease, cancer and overall inflammation. In this review, we present information on the beneficial results that have been reported on the prevention and alleviation of these chronic conditions in various animal models and in cell studies. The existing limited information on human studies and Moringa Oleifera leaves is also presented. Overall, it has been well documented that Moringa Oleifera leaves are a good strategic for various conditions associated with heart disease, diabetes, cancer and fatty liver

JTT-130, a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitor lowers plasma triglycerides and LDL cholesterol concentrations without increasing hepatic triglycerides in guinea pigs

Abstract Background Microsomal transfer protein inhibitors (MTPi) have the potential to be used as a drug to lower plasma lipids, mainly plasma triglycerides (TG). However, studies with animal models have indicated that MTPi treatment results in the accumulation of hepatic TG. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether JTT-130, a unique MTPi, targeted to the intestine, would effectively reduce plasma lipids without inducing a fatty liver. Methods Male guinea pigs (n = 10 per group) were used for this experiment. Initially all guinea pigs were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet containing 0.08 g/100 g dietary cholesterol for 3 wk. After this period, animals were randomly assigned to diets containing 0 (control), 0.0005 or 0.0015 g/100 g of MTPi for 4 wk. A diet containing 0.05 g/100 g of atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor was used as the positive control. At the end of the 7th week, guinea pigs were sacrificed to assess drug effects on plasma and hepatic lipids, composition of LDL and VLDL, hepatic cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. Results Plasma LDL cholesterol and TG were 25 and 30% lower in guinea pigs treated with MTPi compared to controls (P Conclusion These results suggest that JTT-130 could have potential clinical applications due to its plasma lipid lowering effects with no alterations in hepatic lipid concentrations.</p

Consuming Two Eggs per Day, as Compared to an Oatmeal Breakfast, Decreases Plasma Ghrelin while Maintaining the LDL/HDL Ratio

Eggs contain high quality protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, yet regular consumption is still met with uncertainty. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of consuming two eggs per day or a heart-healthy oatmeal breakfast on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and satiety measures in a young, healthy population. Fifty subjects participated in a randomized crossover clinical intervention; subjects were randomly allocated to consume either two eggs or one packet of oatmeal per day for breakfast for four weeks. After a three-week washout period, participants were allocated to the alternative breakfast. Fasting blood samples were collected at the end of each intervention period to assess plasma lipids and plasma ghrelin. Subjects completed visual analog scales (VAS) concurrent to dietary records to assess satiety and hunger. Along with an increase in cholesterol intake, there were significant increases in both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol following the egg consumption period (p &lt; 0.01). However, there was no difference in the LDL/HDL ratio, a recognized biomarker of CVD risk, nor in the plasma glucose, triglycerides or liver enzymes, between diet periods. Several self-reported satiety measures were increased following the consumption of eggs, which were associated with lower plasma ghrelin concentrations (p &lt; 0.05). These results demonstrate that compared to an oatmeal breakfast, two eggs per day do not adversely affect the biomarkers associated with CVD risk, but increase satiety throughout the day in a young healthy population

Evaluation of Family History, Antioxidant Intake and Activity Level as Indicators For Chronic Disease In A Healthy Young Population

We recruited 24 men and 26 women (18-30 y) to evaluate whether family history, activity level, or dietary intake correlated with dyslipidemias, blood pressure or blood glucose levels in this young population. The mean values for plasma triglycerides (72.5 ± 29.9 mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (75.6 ± 24.4 mg/dL) HDL-cholesterol (64.9 ± 18.9 mg/dL), glucose (92.2 ± 6.6 mg/dl), systolic (112.0 ± 12.4 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (72.9 ± 7.0 mmHg), body mass index (23.3 ± 3.1 kg/m2), and waist circumference (81.3 ± 6.5 cm) were within a healthy range. However, 32% of individuals (n=16, 11 male and 5 female) had either elevated LDL-C (\u3e 100 mg/dL), or at least one parameter associated with metabolic syndrome. Family history indicated that 60% of the participants could be at risk for cancer, 46% for heart disease, and 38% for diabetes. For all subjects, number of active minutes per week was negatively correlated with LDL-C (r = -0.339, P \u3c 0.05) and triglycerides (r = -0.41, P \u3c 0.01), whereas HDL-cholesterol was positively correlated with intake of the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin (r = 0.339, P \u3c 0.05).Systolic (r = -0.277, p\u3c 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.307, P \u3c 0.05) negatively correlated with dietary lutein and zeaxanthin. These results imply that increased physical activity and a diet high in antioxidants favorably affect biomarkers for heart disease and diabetes, suggesting that lifestyle factors may protect against disease risk in this population characterized as having a family history of chronic disease