Active clinical trials for "Metabolic Diseases"

Red meat is an integral component of the habitual diet among the UK and Irish population, with adults consuming an average of 71grams/day. Although typically high in saturated fatty acids (SFA), red meat is also an important dietary source of protein and essential nutrients including iron, zinc, B vitamins and long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which provide numerous benefits to human health, particularly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. N-3 and n-6 PUFA are a family of fatty acids with important roles in cardiovascular health, and it is often recommended in dietary guidelines to replace SFA with unsaturated fats, such as PUFA. Owing to the social and economic burden of CVD, increasing the proportions of these unsaturated fatty acids, in combination with a reduction in SFA within meat, could have a large impact on CVD risk at the population level, whilst retaining the beneficial nutrients and n-3 PUFA which meat provides. In this research, a total of 90 eligible and consenting participants will be randomly allocated to consume three portions per week of n-3 enriched beef (from either dietary supplemented or grass-fed cattle) or control beef (from standard supply). This beef will be offered within a lunchtime meal and served from the Human Intervention Studies Unit at Ulster University, Coleraine for a period of 5 weeks. A fasting blood sample will be taken before and after intervention to determine the effect the n-3 enriched beef on cholesterol concentrations, lipid profile, PUFA status and inflammation. Blood pressure, stiffness of the arteries and body shape, size and composition will also be assessed, and some health and lifestyle habits will be captured using questionnaires.

The goal of this project is to elucidate interactions between the gut microbiome, anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant food metabolomic signatures, and human inflammation phenotypes. Inflammation plays both direct and indirect roles in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), atherogenic cardiovascular diseases, and other causes of morbidity and mortality. Aronia melanocarpa (Aronia berries) are rich in bioactive polyphenolic compounds, which have been shown to lower inflammation and favorably impact metabolism. However, there is tremendous inter-individual variability in the bioavailability of polyphenolics and production of bioactive phenolic metabolites in the colon that depends, at least in part, on digestive metabolism by the gut microbiota. Little is known about the complex interactions among the gut microbiome, anti-inflammatory food metabolomic signatures, and human inflammation phenotypes. This study will utilize a systems-level approach to disentangle these complex interactions. The specific study objectives are as follows: to determine the impact of Aronia supplementation on inflammation, metabolic health, and gut microbiome composition to determine the static and dynamic metabolomic signature of Aronia based on an Aronia supplementation period and responses to a high-fat meal challenge

The main aim of this study is to investigate to what extent it is possible to reach normal glucose metabolism and optimal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor levels with early lifestyle interventions in people at high risk of type 2 diabetes compared with those who receive standard therapy (usual care) only. The project will show the effect of these interventions for the first time in people of low socio-economic levels living in a Caribbean environment.

Aging is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Approximately 50% of subjects aged ≥65 have diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, a pre-diabetic state. Purpose: In the proposed study, the investigators will test the hypotheses that the decrease in fat oxidation that occurs in muscle from older human subjects is secondary to an age-mediated reduction in AMPK signaling, in vivo, and that upregulating AMPK signaling through exercise training will result in (and correlate with) increased fat oxidation, reduced intramyocellular lipids, and improved insulin action.

Women have a natural protection that gives them greater longevity. One hypothesis most commonly used is the estrogen protection in the premenopausal period. However many studies of various forms of hormone replacement therapy proved ineffective in promoting additional protection for women. Thus, it is discussed other ways of protection associated with longevity in women. Of these, the sirtuin system was found in several animal studies to be associated with longevity. This system also showed, through the involvement of several metabolic pathways, an important protection against the process of atherosclerosis. But the activity of this system in humans is unknown and if it is more active in women than in men. The study's main objectives are to analyze this system in healthy 24 women and 24 men aged 55 to 65 years, and their influence on the main metabolic pathways related to longevity and the process of atherosclerosis. The research protocol includes analysis of the influence of sirtuin (SIRT1) in vascular reactivity, lipid profile, antioxidant capacity, markers of inflammation and homeostasis, before and after the interventions with caloric restriction or resveratrol administration. It is expected of this study mechanistic conclusion for longevity and possible clinical applications in the mechanism of atherosclerosis prevention.

High intake of insoluble fiber is strongly associated with a reduced incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular events in prospective observation studies. Our primary objective is to compare a life style diabetes prevention program(PRAEDIAS) with and without added insoluble fibers in its effectiveness to prevent incident diabetes type 2 in high risk individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. Subjects with IGT not willing to participate in the intervention will be used as independent controls. Secondary aims are to identify mechanisms of action with regard to body composition, anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of fibers. We propose a randomized, prospective intervention study. The results will be of general relevance for guidance of fiber intake in the population and will help the food industry to design healthy high fiber foods. Fiber can be added at low cost to numerous foods. Increased fiber intake may therefore provide a simple non-cognitive prevention strategy effective at the population level.

The objective of the investigators current study was to examine whether 50 g dried plum would be as effective as 100 g dried plum in reversing bone loss in osteopenic older postmenopausal women.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of docosahexaenoic fatty acid and eicosapentaenoic fatty acid supplementation for six months on the inflammation state as well as the process of muscular regeneration and the metabolic disorders like obesity and insulin resistance in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMB) compared to those receiving placebo.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the most frequent cause of death among the elderly population. Hypertension, unfavorable lipid profile, obesity and physical inactivity are among the main risk factors for CVD. In contrast, mortality from CVD is inversely related to levels of physical activity, and is lower in individuals who exercise and have higher functional fitness levels. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Heart Association have recommended 20-30 min of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic training for the elderly, preferably every day or at least 3 days a week in the case of vigorous exercise.The same organizations also suggest the inclusion of resistance training in order to improve functional fitness. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare different exercise modalities in long-term changes of CVD risk factors and physical fitness among older adults.

Critically ill patients are on high risk for increased serum glucose levels, leading to more comorbidity and higher mortality risk. In patients with severe sepsis and septic shock hyperglycemia is a typical finding. However the need of insulin therapy is associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Newly developed technologies for continuous glucose monitoring in critically ill patients may improve glycemic control and reduce glucose variability. The investigators will perform continuous glucose monitoring in critically ill patients on ICU. Measurements will be done for a period of 72h per patient. The investigators aim is to evaluate accuracy feasibility and acceptance of these methods. To analyze accuracy sensor glucose levels will be validated due to arterial blood gas measurements with the blood gas analyzer. The investigators will investigate the influence of several factors like oedema, perspiration, BMI, body temperature, pH-value application of vasoconstrictors on accuracy and feasibility of the particular system. Furthermore Nursing staff will be given a questionnaire to identify acceptance.