Active clinical trials for "Metabolic Syndrome"

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has reached epidemic proportions and is rapidly becoming the one of most common causes of chronic liver disease in children. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is generally considered the result of a series of liver injuries, commonly referred as "multi-hit" hypothesis. Insulin resistance and increased serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) are considered the main primary hits that lead to the excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes resulting in steatosis. Has been reported that a diet rich in high-viscosity fiber improves glycemic control and lipid profile, suggesting a therapeutic potential role in the treatment of NAFLD. Aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of glucomannan in children affected by non alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the United States is 34% for men and 35% for women. Emerging alternative medicine worldwide led investigators to evaluate the efficacy of Crocus sativus (Saffron) and Berberis Vulgaris (barberry fruit) in treatment of metabolic syndrome. Serum total cholesterol, serum LDL cholesterol, serum HDL cholesterol, serum triglyceride, Fasting Blood Sugar and hematocrit measured before and after 45 days of treatment.

The most important cause of mortality amongst DM2 patients is cardiovascular disease. An early finding of cardiovascular disease in DM2 and obesity is diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of mortality and has been shown to improve in patients on a low calorie diet. The improvement of diastolic function was associated with a reduction in triglyceride accumulation in the heart and liver. A relatively new widely prescribed therapeutic agent for DM2 patients is Liraglutide (Victoza®). Liraglutide is a Glucagon Like Peptide - 1 homologue that improves glucose homeostasis and reduces blood pressure and body weight. Next to the induction of weight loss, which is potentially beneficial for cardiac function, GLP-1 therapy might have a direct advantageous effect on the cardiovascular system. However, the effect of Liraglutide on cardiovascular function has not been investigated yet. The investigators hypothesize that treatment of DM2 patients with Liraglutide is associated with improvement of cardiovascular function and a reduction of triglyceride accumulation in end-organs.

Metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance and possibly metabolic syndrome can induce a peripheral neuropathy. To investigate the effect of physical training and diet education on neuropathic symptoms and neurophysiological parameters of patients with metabolic neuropathies.

The investigators tested the hypothesis that long-chain omega-3 (LCn-3) fatty acid supplementation will attenuate the adverse cardiometabolic effects of second-generation antipsychotics exposure in first-episode adolescent manic patients.

Ezetimibe has been shown to inhibit cholesterol absorption and several lines of evidence from in vitro systems and animal models suggest that this effect is associated with an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expression in the small intestine. The impact of a treatment with ezetimibe on intestinal gene expression and protein mass levels of LDL receptor and other key genes involved in intestinal cholesterol homeostasis will be examined in dyslipidemic men with insulin-resistance. In the present study, gene expression studies and protein mass levels will be assessed on duodenal biopsies by real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively. The primary objective of this proposal is to examine the effects of ezetimibe on intestinal gene expression (rt-PCR) and protein mass levels (LC-MS/MS) of LDL receptor in dyslipidemic men with insulin-resistance. The secondary objective is to examine the impact of ezetimibe treatment on intestinal gene expression and protein mass levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-2, Niemann-Pick C1-Like1 (NPC1L1), ATP binding cassette gene (ABCG)-5/8, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG CoA) reductase. Primary hypothesis Treatment with ezetimibe 10 mg/day will significantly increase duodenal mRNA and protein mass levels of LDL receptor in dyslipidemic men with insulin-resistance. Secondary hypothesis Treatment with ezetimibe 10 mg/day will significantly increase duodenal mRNA and protein mass levels of SREBP-2, NPC1L1, ABCG5/8, PCSK9 and HMG CoA reductase in dyslipidemic men with insulin-resistance.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Restorative yoga versus stretching exercises will reduce risk factors for metabolic syndrome in adults with metabolic syndrome.

Central obesity, core of metabolic syndrome, has been recognized as one of the rooting factors for development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although efforts have been devoted to the studies of central obesity and/or metabolic syndrome, much remained unknown as to how obesity influences cellular as well as cardiac functions, what is the central regulation of one's body weight. Weight loss is an undisputed way to improve cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in obese individuals. Previous studies have demonstrated that weight loss by 5% of initial weight universally provide substantial benefits in these subjects. However, there are little integrated research teams, composed of different disciplines, share common weight reduction program to look at different aspects of weight reduction in non-diabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome. The significances of this proposal we plan to target, namely Rho kinase activity from peripheral leukocyte, several cardiac functions measured by noninvasive technique (VP-2000) and MRI, circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) levels, are fully explained detailed in each sub-proposal. In order to accomplish this integrated proposal, we will form research teams including endocrinologists, cardiologists, radiologists, and a coordinating data center. We pan to recruit 40 non-diabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome to participate this 12-16 weeks weight reduction program. Twenty-five age, sex matched non-diabetes lean will be served as controls. Oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood obtained, noninvasive vascular and MRI examinations will be applied before and after weight reduction program in those achieving at least 5% loss of initial weight. In summary, this study will investigate the effects of weight loss on (1) Rho kinase activity obtained from peripheral leukocyte; (2). Aortic stiffness, central aortic pressure and hemodynamic by a noninvasive vascular profiling system (VP-2000); (3) Brain function specifically reflecting by circulating BDNF; (4). Aortic elastic properties and left ventricular function by using MRI examinations, in non-diabetic individuals of metabolic syndrome.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Vitamin D supplementation on the reasons (mechanisms) underlying the development of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, body weight/obesity), muscle weakness and wasting (sarcopenia), and impaired physical function (poor balance and walking) associated with vitamin D deficiency and osteopenia/osteoporosis (bone loss). The investigators obtain vitamin D through our diet and sunlight, and its conversion to active vitamins in the liver and kidneys promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium and regulation of bone growth. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency has been known for years to lead to weakened bones (osteopenia and osteoporosis). However, more recently, studies show vitamin D deficiency is associated with a number of other diseases, including type 2 diabetes, muscle weakness, frailty, and the metabolic syndrome. It has also been associated with cognitive impairment. Diabetes affects multiple organ systems including the heart, kidneys, musculoskeletal and nervous system. The possibility that vitamin D deficiency is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, muscle weakness and wasting (sarcopenia) and osteopenia/osteoporosis, and that vitamin D supplementation decreases the risk for these diseases, provides a relatively easy/accessible and inexpensive model of preventive therapy to decrease the incidence of these diseases. In addition, it is likely that genetic (inherited) factors play a role, but the relationship of these genes to these metabolic abnormalities have not been elucidated. Understanding the role of Vitamin D in health will allow us to translate these findings into therapy.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is an important cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. High blood pressure often occurs in people who are overweight. These people frequently also have abnormal fat and sugar metabolism. The combination of these problems is called the 'metabolic syndrome'. People with hypertension and obesity currently receive the same drug therapy as people with hypertension, but without obesity. Different classes of drugs are thought to be equally effective in lowering blood pressure. Next to lowering blood pressure, hypertension treatment can have additional effects, like changes in blood vessel function (the ability to dilate and constrict) or changes is the metabolism of sugar and fat. Particularly in patients with the metabolic syndrome, these additional effects are thought to be of great importance, because they can influence the risk for cardiovascular diseases. The blood pressure lowering mechanism differs between classes of blood pressure lowering medication. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of three types of blood pressure lowering medication belonging to different classes. The main outcomes of interest will be blood vessel function (the ability to dilate and constrict) and blood pressure. Moreover, the effect of treatment on additional outcomes, like metabolism of sugar and fat, will be studied.