Active clinical trials for "Metabolic Syndrome"

The proposed research will provide important information about the role of 2 intervention diets that provide different amounts of lean beef and meet current nutrient recommendations for the treatment of Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn), a chronic disease that is still increasing in prevalence at alarming rates. The experimental and diet designs will enable us to evaluate lifestyle interventions for MetSyn for persons who maintain weight, lose weight and maintain their weight loss, as is currently recommended in clinical practice. Importantly, the investigators will compare a diet high in lean beef (5 oz/day) which is compositionally similar (i.e., energy and nutrients) to the modified-DASH diet, a low beef diet which has become the Gold Standard for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including MetSyn. In addition, the investigators also will evaluate a moderate-high protein diet (BOLD+) that is higher in total protein (from mixed sources including lean beef, 7oz/day) than the BOLD diet, on CVD risk factors in persons with MetSyn. A follow-up study was conducted to assess dietary compliance in a sub-sample of the population at 12-months; participants were not informed of this end-point and additional consent was obtained. Hypotheses: Healthful isocaloric diets that include lean beef as the primary source of protein (BOLD diet) with average (18%; BOLD) or moderate-high (28%; BOLD+) total protein intake will show similar or greater reductions in CVD risk, respectively when compared to a modified-DASH diet. A healthful weight-loss diet, including lean beef as the primary source of protein in a high-moderate protein diet (BOLD+ diet), plus regular exercise (BOLD+ + ex) will reduce body weight equal to that of a BOLD + ex and DASH + ex intervention, but may improve CV risk factors (such as BP and TG), and therefore reduce the prevalence of MetSyn more than a BOLD + ex and DASH + ex intervention. The BOLD diet will be more effective than the modified-DASH diet, and the BOLD+ diet more effective than the BOLD diet in maintaining the CVD benefits attained during phases 1 and 2. Dietary adherence will be better on the BOLD and BOLD + diets compared with the modified DASH diet.

High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is a blood pressure level of 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Along with lifestyle changes, various medications are currently used to treat people with hypertension. Some of these medications, however, may affect the way the body handles sugar, essentially preventing the body from breaking down sugar and predisposing people to developing diabetes. People who have metabolic syndrome-a condition primarily characterized by an increased waist measurement, abnormal blood lipid levels, hypertension, and high blood sugar levels-are already at risk of developing diabetes. In these people, taking the antihypertensive medications that prevent sugar breakdown may further increase their risk of diabetes. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of how people with metabolic syndrome respond to antihypertensive medications that alter the body's ability to break down sugar.

The purpose of this interventional study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in children or adolescents with well-characterized and liver biopsy confirmed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The investigators will randomize abdominally obese men and women at increased health risk to one of the following 4 conditions: 1) No-exercise, wait list controls (C), 2) Low volume, low intensity exercise (LVLI), 3) High volume, low intensity exercise (HVLI), 4) Low volume, high intensity exercise (LVHI). The primary aim of the trial is to determine the effects of varying exercise dose (energy expenditure, kcal) or intensity (relative to VO2max (cardiorespiratory fitness)) on waist circumference and glucose tolerance. The investigators will test the following hypotheses: 1) That the reduction in waist circumference and improvement in glucose tolerance in response to all treatments will be greater than controls. 2) That reduction in waist circumference and improvement in glucose tolerance in HVLI and LVHI will be greater than LVLI. 3) That hypotheses 1 and 2 are true independent of gender.

High blood sugar and adiposity are part of Metabolic syndrome (about 24% of adults harbor it). The main approach, weight reduction, is often unattainable. Aloe Vera (barbadensis) (AV) and cnidoscolus chayamansa (McVaugh)(CC) are two vegetables that seem to have an effect on blood glucose and body weight. The study aims to determine if the intake of aloe gel and/or Chaya infusion can reduce high blood sugar in adult women with pre-diabetes (Metabolic Syndrome). Methods: A Factorial assay, double blind, cross-over-controlled with random assignment, to four treatments: AV and CC, AV and Placebo 1, Placebo 2 and CC, and Placebo 1 and Placebo 2, at the outpatient clinic of the university Hospital and a community clinic. Two treatment periods of 4 weeks intermediated by one week for wash-out.

The objective of this study was to investigate from 3 sites (University of Connecticut, University of Florida, and University of California, Irvine) whether enhancement of a modified Mediterranean-style, low glycemic load diet (MED) with specific phytochemicals (soy protein, phytosterols, rho iso-alpha acids and proanthocyanidins; PED) could improve cardiometabolic risk factors in women with metabolic syndrome.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection affects approximately 1 in 100 Canadians. Untreated, CHC has significant long-term consequences including cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. CHC is intrinsically linked to both obesity and insulin resistance (IR) or "pre-diabetes", their co-existence worsens overall health outcomes. We have demonstrated that obesity (BMI ≥30kg/m2) is over twice as common amongst patients with CHC (28.8%) compared with the general Canadian population. Obesity superimposed on CHC reduces the success of antiviral treatment and promotes liver scarring (hepatic fibrosis), fatty liver (steatosis) and increases the risk of liver cancer. Both CHC and obesity contribute to IR putting these patients at risk of type 2 diabetes. IR, like obesity in CHC, reduces antiviral success rates. We have shown that diabetics are at higher risk of developing liver cancer compared with non-diabetics. It is therefore timely to address lifestyle modification to delay the onset of diabetes. We will examine the impact of a multidisciplinary lifestyle program on the insulin resistance in 52 obese "pre-diabetic" patients with current or past CHC. The 24 week program comprises an individualized nutritional and exercise plan supported by behavior modification counseling. Through gaining a better understanding of links between obesity, insulin resistance and hepatitis C infection we hope to delay the onset of diabetes and reduce the likelihood of all their untoward effects on the liver.

Whole grain intake beneficially affects body weight, body fat and glucose metabolism, and the investigators' previous work has shown that a high whole grain intake significantly reduced body fat in the abdominal region as measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) compared to a refined grain intake. Additional research is needed with regard to the mechanisms by which whole grains may affect visceral adiposity and the adipokines, which have been associated with risk for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Therefore the proposed study aims to address these issues and in addition, includes exploratory work with adipocytes in cell culture to evaluate the effects of whole grains on adipocyte function. Hypothesis: There will be a greater reduction in visceral adiposity, indicators of insulin resistance (HOMA score), improvement in inflammatory status and improvement in adipokine levels after six weeks of a weight stable period and after six weeks of weight loss in subjects consuming 6-9 servings compared to 0 servings of whole grains per day.

Metabolic syndrome, labeled as the world's latest epidemic, is the force behind the global epidemic of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardio Vascular Diseases. This emerging epidemic is an important public health problem for South Asians in their homeland and worldwide. Pharmacological therapy is a critical step in the management of patients with metabolic syndrome. In general, treatment for metabolic syndrome, that targets all or most of the components of metabolic syndrome is either deficient or non-existent. The study presented here is the pioneering work in the management of metabolic syndrome, the emerging global epidemic.

The study is an open-label 8-week adjunctive trial of pioglitazone for the acute relief of bipolar depression comorbid with metabolic syndrome/insulin resistance. Subjects who experience a partial or full response will have the option of continuing in an acute continuation phase lasting up to 12 weeks. The extension phase will allow assessment of the safety and tolerability of pioglitazone during the acute continuation period.