Active clinical trials for "Metabolic Syndrome"

Previous work of the investigators demonstrated the anti-obesity and anti-steatosis potential of the Amazonian fruit camu-camu (CC) in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity [1]. It was demonstrated that the prebiotic role of CC was directly linked to higher energy expenditure stimulated by the fruit since fecal transplantation from CC-treated mice to germ-free mice was sufficient to reproduce the effects. The full protection against hepatic steatosis observed in CC-treated mice is of particular importance since nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. Thirty percent of adults in developed countries have excess fat accumulation in the liver, and this figure can be as high as 80% in obese subjects. NAFLD is an umbrella term encompassing simple steatosis, as well as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in up to 20% of cases. Up to now, except for lifestyle changes, no effective drug treatment are available. Previous work has suggested that CC possesses anti-inflammatory properties and could acutely reduce blood pressure and glycemia after a single intake. While CC could represent a promising treatment for obesity and fatty liver, no studies have thoroughly tested this potential in humans. Therefore, a robust clinical proof of concept study is needed to provide convincing evidence for a microbiome-based therapeutic strategy to counteract obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. The mechanism of action of CC could involve bile acid (BA) metabolism. BA are produced in the liver and metabolized in the intestine by the gut microbiota. Conversely, they can modulate gut microbial composition. BA and particularly, primary BA, are powerful regulators of metabolism. Indeed, mice treated orally with the primary BA α, β muricholic (αMCA, βMCA) and cholic acids (CA) were protected from diet-induced obesity and hepatic lipid accumulation. Interestingly, the investigators reported that administration of CC to mice increased the levels of αMCA, βMCA and CA. Primary BA are predominantly secreted conjugated to amino acids and that deconjugation rely on the microbial enzymatic machinery of gut commensals. The increased presence of the deconjugated primary BA in CC-treated mice indicate that a cluster of microbes selected by CC influence the BA pool composition. These data therefore point to an Interplay between BA and gut microbiota mediating the health effects of CC. Polyphenols and in particular procyanidins and ellagitannins in CC can also be responsible for the modulation of BA that can impact on the gut microbiota. Indeed, it has been reported that ellagitannins containing food like walnuts modulate secondary BA in humans whereas procyanidins can interact with farnesoid X receptors and alter BA recirculation to reduce hypertriglyceridemia. These effects are likely mediated by the remodeling of the microbiota by the polyphenols. In accordance with the hypothesis that the ultimate effect of CC is directly linked to a modification of the microbiota, fecal transplantation from CC-treated mice to germ-free mice was sufficient to recapitulate the lower weight gain and the higher energy expenditure seen in donor mice.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether taking grape seed extract prior to eating a high fat meal will reduce the inflammatory response in people with the metabolic syndrome.

Study purpose: African Americans with hypertension and markers of metabolic syndrome (small elevations in blood glucose, triglycerides and or weight) are at a high risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems. There is a circulating factor called angiotensin II that increases risk and may be more important in African Americans who have up to 20 times greater risk of losing kidney function and requiring dialysis. Research Investigators, including those at the University of Michigan, found one drug (Ramipril) that blocks angiotensin II effects significantly and improves kidney function in African Americans. The purpose of The SAAVE Study is to determine whether the combination of two new blockers (Valsartan and Aliskiren) of angiotensin II, are better able to lower blood pressure, also improve some of the risk factors for cardiovascular problems and provide greater protection to the heart and kidneys.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a growing social health problem world-wide, in particular with respect to its contribution to cardiovascular disease. The progressive increase in prevalence of DM2 has reached epidemic proportion and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in all populations around the world. Conventional stepwise treatment of DM2 generally focuses on controlling blood glucose concentration. However, the risk for side-effects associated with the use of pharmacological intervention often delays initiation of therapy, with the potential implication on worsening morbidity and mortality from complications. On the other hand, non-pharmacological intervention in the form of dietary restrictions, exercise and weight loss, is safe but often difficult to accomplish. The availability of nutrients that affect glucose and lipid metabolism would provide an important practical tool to establish early intervention in newly diagnosed DM2 and perhaps even in patients who are only "at risk" for DM2. The investigators have recently obtained preliminary data on beneficial effects of combined supplementation of lycopene and isoflavones on glucose metabolism of normoglycemic volunteers with insulin resistance. This clinical trial will explore the role of isoflavones and lycopene dietary supplementation in the improvement of glucose metabolism of patients at increased risk or with established but mild DM2. The overall hypothesis is that supplementation of laflavon, provided as a new formulation that increases bioavailability of the individual components (Laflavon CamMedica contains 7 mg of Lycopene and 50 mg of Soy Isoflavones), determines improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin resistance of patients with the metabolic syndrome and also reduces HbA1c in patients with mild DM2.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a significant risk factor of cardiovascular disease. The purposes of this study are going to investigate the effects of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther on the oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme activity and inflammation in subjects with metabolic syndromerelation. The investigators will recruit MS patients(n=50)and the inclusion criteria of MS are according to the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health in Taiwan (2007). The MS subjects are randomly assigned to placebo(n=25) and Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther supplements(n=25)groups. Hopefully, the results of this study could provide the information of Graptopetalum paraguayense E. Walther supplements to what has been know in MS subjects.

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential disease preventive effects of β-glucans from oat and barley.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of exercise during pregnancy upon maternal metabolism, including weight gain, fat distribution, and levels of glucose and cholesterol. We will also conduct a pilot study to examine the feasibility of studying the health of infants born to women in this study.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and tolerability of MB12066 after a single oral dose and to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of MB12066 after a single oral dose.

Aim The principal objective of this project is: • To evaluate the efficacy of long term (18 months) L-Arginine therapy in preventing or delaying clinical onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and Metabolic Syndrome. Secondary end points are: To define if a long term treatment with L-arginine is able to ameliorate insulin sensitivity and endothelial dysfunction in this population. To find new risk profiles and candidate genes able to define the sub-group of patients at higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology This is a double blind, parallel, one centre study to determine if long term oral L-arginine administration is able to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with Metabolic Syndrome. Two hundred and ninety four subjects were recruited at the Cardio-Metabolic and Clinical Trials Unit of the San Raffaele Scientific Institute. One hundred and forty two patients were randomized to enter the study and assigned to two arms: oral L-arginine (6.4 g/die) or placebo, in addition to diet and physical exercise. The treatment were maintained for 18 months. Visits were performed every 3 months for clinical evaluation, blood samples, treatment supply and collection of data on adverse events. Furthermore, patients were contacted every month by telephone to evaluate the accurate continuation of the study and they were instructed to phone to the centre in case of possible adverse events. An OGTT were performed before the enter into the study and at the end of the study period. An additional OGTT were performed at an intermediate visit if fasting glucose levels were more than 126 mg/dl. A diabetic response caused the end-point of the patient. Metabolic, hormonal and endothelial activation and inflammation parameters were measured. Evaluation of endothelium-mediated and non-endothelium-mediated vasodilatation were performed by strain gauche plethysmography evaluating forearm blood at the basal state. in post-ischemic conditions and after nitroglycerine administration. Before the enter into the study, an additional blood sample were drawn for DNA extraction and candidate genes variants evaluation. Before the enter into the study and at the end of the study period, gene expression for inflammation were measured on mRNA extraction on endothelial progenitor cells.

The aim of the study is to investigate if dietary fish oil has a beneficial effect on blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile, body composition and metabolic rate in healthy, but slightly overweight, teenage boys. We hypothesized that the n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil might have greater effect during growth and development, as intervention trials studying the effect of fish oil on babies have shown greater effects than in adults.