Effects of Carnitine Supplementation on Liver and Muscle
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseInsulin ResistanceIt will be evaluated whether carnitine, a dietary supplement, reduces liver fat and improves metabolism in individuals who have a high concentration of fat within their liver. Participants will be given either Carnitine or placebo, together with a meal replacement milkshake twice daily for 6 months.
Fetuin-A Phosphorylation Status in Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome
ObesityMetabolic SyndromeFetuin-A has been identified as a novel physiological regulator of insulin action in vitro, in intact cells and in vivo in animals. Previous research has shown that circulating levels of fetuin-A were increased in animal models of insulin resistance and diabetes. Additionally, several human investigation studies demonstrate a correlation of fetuin-A levels with body mass index, insulin resistance, and a fatty liver. Recently, the investigators have elucidated the role of fetuin-A phosphorylation in the regulation of insulin action, demonstrating that phosphorylation is critical for the inhibitory activity of fetuin-A. The objectives of this study are twofold: (1) Quantitate phosphorylated fetuin-A levels in individuals with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, and (2) Investigate the effects of lifestyle modifications (acute or chronic exercise and dietary modifications) on fetuin-A phosphorylation and insulin sensitivity.
Duality of Lipids: the Athlete's Paradox
Insulin ResistanceDiabetes1 moreAccumulation of intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs) due to increased supply of fatty acids can induce defects in the insulin signaling cascade, causing skeletal muscle insulin resistance. However, the causes for muscle insulin resistance are not well understood. The association of elevated IMCLs and insulin resistance has been shown in obese humans and individuals with type 2 diabetes as well as several animal models of insulin resistance. Despite the strong relationship between IMCLs and insulin resistance, this suggested relationship disappears when well-trained endurance athletes are included into this consideration as this group is highly insulin sensitive. This metabolic enigma has been termed the 'athlete's paradox'. The aim of this project is to resolve the mechanisms contributing to the athlete's paradox.
Iron and Insulin Resistance in Overweight and Obese Humans
Glucose IntoleranceInsulin Resistance1 moreDetermine the effects of reducing whole-body iron stores in overweight/obese subjects (via one-time blood donation) on adipose tissue iron content, factors regulating iron homeostasis and lipolytic rate in adipose tissue, as well as measures of adipose tissue and whole-body insulin resistance. After a screening visit to determine eligibility, subjects will undergo a battery of tests for the determination of primary outcome measures at baseline. They will then donate 1 unit (~500 mL) of blood (at a local blood donation center) and return for a follow-up testing 4 weeks after blood donation. During the 4-week period between study trials, subjects will be required to maintain a stable body mass and not alter their dietary or physical activity habits.
The Effects of Ethanol on Intestinal Permeability and Gut Hormones
Insulin ResistanceEthanol1 moreThe aime of this study is to envsitigate if ethanol has an incretin effect. This is done by administration of ethanol orally vs. an isoethanolaemic i.v. infusion of ethanol.
Nutraceutical Composition Containing Natural Products Derivatives on the Modulation of the Endocrine...
Insulin ResistanceInflammatory Bowel Diseases2 moreThe use of natural products in the prevention or treatment of chronic diseases is an emerging field in current medicine. And studying the mechanisms of actions by which natural products act in our bodies contributes to the rational use of these products. And the combination of different natural products such as prebiotics (FOS- fructooligosaccharides, GOS-Galactooligosaccharides and beta-glucans derived from yeast), herbal medicine (Silybum marianum), and minerals (Se-selenium, Zn-Zinc, and Mg-Magnesium), o which would result in a synergistic association between them can contribute to achieving not only preventive effects but treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The present study aims to study the effects of a composition containing natural products on factors and markers that are part of mitochondrial biogenesis and the neuroimmune-endocrine system in healthy volunteers and that present grade 1 overweight/obesity.
Effects of BKR-017 on Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Type 2 DiabetesThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of BKR-017 on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes (T2D) subjects during 28 days of active test product administration.
Frequent Activity Snacks Breaks
ObesityInsulin Resistance1 moreThere is a growing health burden in Sweden and Europe arising from the interrelated sequelae of metabolic disorders comprising impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), obesity and T2DM. Obesity and inactivity are the main drivers of IGT and T2DM and are responsible for up to 8% of health costs and 13% of deaths in Europe, with the risk of co-morbidities rising in parallel with increasing body weight. IGT and T2DM are the paradigm of inactivity-related disorders: the majority of people who have IGT or T2DM are overweight and inactive, with up to 80% being obese. A recent meta-analysis of 42 studies concluded that sedentary time was independently associated with a greater risk of T2D, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality, and cancer incidence and mortality (breast, colon, colorectal, endometrial and epithelial ovarian cancers) (Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:123-32). A recent systematic review of trials published up to April 2014 identified 16 separate studies and concluded that there is considerable evidence of the positive effects of breaking up prolonged sitting time with light-intensity ambulatory physical activity and standing on postprandial metabolic parameters, including glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels (Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015:47:2053-61). However, to date, all of the published experimental trials describing the beneficial effects of breaking up sitting time on metabolic risk markers have been restricted to acute exposure periods (1-5 days). We will perform a RCT intervention study, which examines the efficacy (clinically relevant responses) and practical implementation of low-impact training in sedentary obese individuals during the day.
Muscle Fat Compartments and Turnover as Determinant of Insulin Sensitivity
DiabetesEarly research found that high levels of fat within muscle meant poorer control of blood sugar. However, more recent research has shown that athletes have similar levels of fat within muscle, but in contrast, they have very good control of blood sugar. The investigators are not sure why this is and want to find out if the fat within muscle can be changed to improve blood sugar control, as good blood sugar control reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Effects of Corn and Coconut Oils on Lipoprotein Lipids, Insulin Sensitivity and Inflammation
Healthy Men and WomenThe objectives of this trial are to assess the effects of corn oil and coconut oil on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations, and other aspects of the fasting lipoprotein lipid profile, as well as insulin sensitivity and an inflammatory marker, in men and women.