Identification of New Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance
Insulin ResistanceDiabetes Mellitus3 moreDiabetes is a chronic metabolic disease affecting 415 million people worldwide, 90% of cases are type 2 which is frequently associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. In healthy individuals, insulin stimulates increased cell surface expression of a glucose transporter (GLUT4) in muscle and fat tissue. This prevents blood sugar levels becoming dangerously high by taking sugar into the muscle and fat cells. Loss of this response ('insulin resistance') frequently occurs before the development of type 2 diabetes. Understanding the cell biology of insulin resistance is necessary to develop more effective treatments for this condition and prevent further cases of type 2 diabetes. Previous work showed that this movement of GLUT4 is dependent on a small protein called Rab3 which is downregulated in insulin resistance. Rab3 protein levels are also sensitive to inflammation, a state that is exacerbated by obesity. In order to examine whether Rab3 is an early biomarker of insulin resistance, we aim to measure the levels of this protein and its interactors in fat and muscle samples from insulin resistant individuals. It has been shown that insulin sensitivity can be improved with an intervention as short as three weeks when net energy intake is sufficiently reduced. Therefore, by taking the same measurements before and after this three week intervention we can observe any improvements in Rab3 expression and insulin sensitivity at a cellular level. There is also evidence for an effect of the gut microbiome on insulin sensitivity so we will measure any changes that take place in the gut microbiome following this intervention, which can be determined from faecal samples taken before and after the three weeks.
Systemic and Peritoneal Inflammatory Response In Robotic-assisted And Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon...
Colonic NeoplasmsColon Cancer5 moreThe current hypothesis is that robotic-assisted surgery results in a reduced systemic and peritoneal inflammatory response (SIRS) compared to laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of colon cancer. The purpose is to evaluate differences in the peritoneal and systemic inflammatory response in robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgery of patients undergoing resection for colon cancer in a randomized, blinded controlled trial.
The Effect of Sitagliptin on Hypertension, Arterial Stiffness, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation...
Diabetes MellitusArterial StiffnessRecently a new category of antihyperglycemic therapy aiming to modulate the incretin system has emerged. These drugs induce insulin secretion without inducing hypoglycemia. The effect of the incretin modulators drugs on hypertension, arterial stiffness, inflammation and oxidative stress parameters have not been fully investigated yet.GLP-1 analogue has been suggested to have an effect on endothelium and the development of hypertension. Nystrom et al have demonstrated that GLP-1 improves endothelial dysfunction in a small group of type 2 diabetes subjects, with coronary heart disease. We hypothesize that DPP-4 inhibitor will have an effect on hypertension and arterial stiffness by effect on the NO pathway.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of two insulin inducers drugs, sulfonyl urea and DPP-4 inhibitor on 24 hours blood pressure monitoring, arterial stiffness, oxidative stress and inflammation.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathy and Inflammation in Breast Cancer
Breast CancerThe aim of this study is to assess the effects of n-3 fatty acids on taxane-induced neuropathy and neurotoxic inflammatory agents in patients suffering from invasive breast cancer.
The Effects of Lipinova on Inflammatory and Proresolving Lipid Mediator Profiles After Orthopedic...
InflammationSurgeryThe aim of this pilot study is to investigate whether pre-operative supplementation with an over the counter dietary supplement containing a fractionated marine lipid concentrate derived from anchovy and sardine oil, Lipinova® (Solutex), improves the inflammatory profile and proresolving capacity in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. In addition, the investigators will compare the ability of two different dosing regimens to maximize SPM (Specialized Proresolving Mediators) availability.
Ocular Micro-vascular Research Base on Functional Slip Lamp Biomicroscopy
Dry Eye SyndromesInflammation1 moreDry eye disease (DED), as one of the most common ocular surface diseases that affecting visual acuity, is highly associated with ocular surface inflammation. Until now, there is no accurate quantization index system to evaluate real-time ocular surface inflammation. Besides, an individualized therapy for ocular surface inflammation is also badly needed. As we all know, conjunctival congestion is one of the important clinical appearance of ocular surface inflammation. Hence, we suggest that several specific microvascular indexes could measure the change of ocular surface inflammation. Our program is aiming to investigate the correlation between inflammatory factors and blood flow velocity as well as microvascular distribution detecting from bulbar conjunctiva through our own devices and software.Futhermore, we tend to compare ocular surface microvascular indexes and microvascular distribution in normal people and dry eye patients in order to establish a database for Chinese people. By confirming the relationship between ocular surface microvascular indexes and ocular inflammation, we hope to set up new diagnostic criteria for ocular inflammation and an individualized therapeutic regimen based on ocular surface microvascular indexes. Finally, we want to establish a precision diagnostic and therapeutic pattern for dry eye disease.
The Grounded Brain: How Sleeping Grounded Affects Memory and Perceptions
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentChronic InflammationGrounding (Earthing) refers to the practice of contacting the Earth or a properly installed grounding mat with the body. Previous studies on grounding have shown positive effects body-wide inflammation, acute and chronic pain, and immune system response. Prior studies on the inflammatory process of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and some other dementias have shown connections between immune system dysregulation, inflammatory markers, and severe disease progression. Finding ways to mitigate or turn off the inflammatory response is key to treating mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of sleeping grounded on cognition and personal perceptions in participants with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease as evidenced by a battery of assessments using Cogstate's Cognitive Brief Battery and a qualitative questionnaire. We hypothesize that assessment scores will improve with grounding and that perceptions will positively correlate with an increase in scores. Modulation of risk factors like glucocorticoid resistance, SCI, and immune system dysfunction through grounding may lead to an accessible, natural technique for neurodegenerative disease prevention or treatment.
Nicotinamide Riboside in Hospitalized Patients
InflammationAcute IllnessPatients will receive oral nicotinamide riboside or placebo and clinical and paraclinical outcome will be determined
Pilot Study of Lovaza (Omega 3 Fatty Acids) to Improve Cardiac Antioxidant/Anti-inflammatory Profile...
Mitral Valve RegurgitationLeft Atrium Dilatation and Hypertrophy3 moreIn the absence of treatment, severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) results in left atrium (LA) dilatation and hypertrophy, followed ultimately by left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. One promising intervention for the prevention of the deleterious effects of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure is dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). However, the molecular targets and mechanisms by which n-3 PUFAs exert their effects are not completely defined. A possible target of n-3 PUFAs is the mitochondrial membrane which has broad implications given that mitochondrial dysfunction and altered metabolism have been associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. The investigators have recently identified significant mitochondrial dysfunction in the LA of patients with severe MR, as compared to their non-hypertrophied right atrium (RA). However, the investigators have not addressed the possibility that intervention with purified n-3 PUFAs (Lovaza) could improve mitochondrial function. From a mechanistic perspective, the investigators have observed in vitro that n-3 PUFAs accumulate predominately into the mitochondrial membrane of cardiomyocytes where the investigators believe they exert their effects on the biophysical organization of the membrane. Therefore, the CENTRAL HYPOTHESIS is that administering Lovaza to patients with severe MR will reduce apoptosis and improve mitochondrial function in LA (Aim 1). This change in mitochondrial function will be driven by significant biochemical and biophysical remodeling of the mitochondrial membrane (Aim 2).
Efficacy of Ibuprofen Chronotherapy in Healing After Surgical Extraction of the Mandibular Third...
Operation Site InflammationPain3 moreClinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated encouraging results of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) chronotherapy in the management and treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, no previous clinical trials have addressed how the timing of NSAID administration within the day affects pain and healing outcomes after oral surgery that involves bone removal, such as surgical extraction of the third molars. Methods to address our aim, Single-center double-blind randomized controlled trial study design has been adopted. Patients who needed a lower third molar extraction and meet the eligibility criteria will be recruited. Participants will be randomized into two groups. Subjects in group one will be instructed to take an NSAID (ibuprofen 400 mg) at 7 AM and 12 PM combined with a placebo before bed between 8 and 10 PM for three days postoperatively. Subjects in group 2 will be instructed to take an NSAID (ibuprofen 400 mg) between 7 AM, 12 PM and between 8 and 10 PM for three days postoperatively. The patients' self-reported pain in the three days after surgery will be recorded as the primary outcome. Additionally, healing indicators such as the maximum interincisal distance and measurements of facial swelling will be recorded preoperatively and four days postoperatively. Each participant's blood level of C-reactive protein will be recorded pre- and postoperatively as an inflammatory marker. Discussion: The study will estimate the effect of using NSAID only in the morning following surgical extraction of the third molar to decrease pain and improve postoperative healing and recovery in comparison to the routine use of NSAIDs three times per day.