Articles Related to Insulin

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Insulin resistance (IR) is almost constistently associated with overweight or obesity in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Nutraceutical compounds improving insulin resistance (IR) may be useful in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in metabolic diseases.

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Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is also referred to as a steroid hormone with an active form that can bind to receptors. The main way to obtain vitamin D is its synthetization on the skin with the effect of ultraviolet light. It is activated in the body by two hydroxylation reactions in the liver and kidneys. Vitamin D is said to have other effects besides those on the bone metabolism. Vitamin D deficiency is a global social health problem. It is associated with cardiovascular diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, various types of cancer, immune deficiencies and increased mortality. It is frequently observed in obese individuals. A possible molecular mechanism of the relationship between obesity and vitamin D deficiency may be associated with the metabolism in mature adipocytes, oxidative stress, inflammation and the gene expression regulation capacity of vitamin D which is related to the adipogenesis process. Vitamin D may lead to an increase in insulin secretion and a decrease in insulin resistance by regulating the immune system. Inflammatory cytokine production is thought to be one of the mechanisms of action of vitamin D on insulin resistance. Inflammatory cytokines appear to be associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Low levels of vitamin D may cause disruption of insulin secretion. Vitamin D may be involved in β-cell secretion activity and changes in tissue response to insulin. There is a relationship between inadequate 25(OH)D levels and β-cell dysfunction. Vitamin D may have beneficial effects on β-cell function by suppressing the renin-angiotensin system. Based on all this information, it may be concluded that vitamin D is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes, and vitamin D deficiency may form the basis for these conditions.

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Hormones belong to metabolic factors that control and regulate feed intake in ruminants and rats. Estrogen depresses feed intake. Insulin is an important hormone possessing both long-term and short-term effects on ruminant nutrient partitioning and feed intake. Insulin is associated with overconsumption in rats. The role of glucagon in feed intake regulation in ruminants has not been thoroughly described. Some evidence exists that exogenous glucagon reduces feed intake in sheep. Intravenous glucagon induced satiety in humans. Intraperitoneal glucagon has not affected feed intake in rats. Research is needed to elucidate how to manipulate animal and human endocrinology to optimize feeding strategies and systems in food-producing animals and to improve human health.

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This study aimed to determine whether a relationship exists between gingival stimulation and the levels of leptin, ghrelin, insulin and glucose, which are important regulators of energy homeostasis. Blood samples for ghrelin, leptin, glucose and insulin were taken from 15 male volunteers (mean age 25.5±2.3 years; mean body mass index 24.4±2.79 kg/m2), who did not brush their teeth for one day, after a 12 h-long overnight fasting and before standard breakfast (0 min) and thereafter at 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after breakfast. After toothbrushing after dinner and after a 12 h-long overnight fasting, blood samples were taken again before standard breakfast (0 min) and then after at the same time points following tooth brushing.A significant reduction was found in the leptin levels measured at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after tooth brushing (p < 0.005). The ghrelin levels also declined at these time points but were significant at 0, 30 and 120 min (p < 0.05). Despite the reduced insulin levels at 120 and 180 min after tooth brushing (p < 0.05), no significant change was observed in the glucose levels.

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This study was conducted to investigate the immunohistochemical localization of ghrelin and IGF-I in the liver and kidney tissues in melatonin-treated rats. Rats were divided into three groups as a control, a sham and a treatment groups. While the treatment group received melatonin (10 mg/kg i.p.) for 3 weeks, only ethanol and saline solution were administered to the sham group. The control group received nothing.

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Our research study on diabetic patients in a community in South Texas have shown that increasing age, male gender, married status, smoking history, limited education, and birth in Mexico are risk factors for observed increasing HbA1c and FBG. Elevated lipoprotein levels are particularly observed in type 2 diabetes. Low insulin levels and high BMI in this high risk population correlate to the severity of their diabetes. Moreover we have observed that being born in Mexico influences the patient’s method of treatment with use of oral or combined oral and parenteral routes with poor control of their diabetes. Perhaps the Hispanics born in Mexico may have limited knowledge of their disease influenced by their educational level, socioeconomic status, and prior misconceptions on appropriate methods of treatment(s).

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The prognostic utility of the triglyceride: HDL-cholesterol (TG:HDL-C) ratio, a marker for insulin resistance, is unknown among high-risk children and adolescents. We examined the clinical utility of TG:HDL-C ratio as a marker of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation in obese youth.

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To develop a valid method to identify insulin resistance (IR) in overweight and obese adolescents without requiring a fasting blood sample.

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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been found in almost all tissues and due to their regenerative properties represent promising tools in cell-based therapy. Role of MSCs in tissue repair is strongly governed by their interplay with immune cells and regulating factors.

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There could be progressive changes in hemodynamic and autonomic parameters causing cardiovascular damage from lean to morbid obesity. We aim to study resting and reactivity of hemodynamic and autonomic parameters to physical and mental stress in lean, overweight and obese subjects of the Oman Family Study (OFS).

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Assisted reproductive technologies, such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer, have produced significant outcomes in cattle. These technologies are useful not only for improving fertility but also for increasing the rate of genetic change in beef and dairy livestock. Today, embryo transfer in cattle is both practical and commercially viable. However, bovine embryo transplantation still remains suboptimal under on-farm conditions, one of the main reasons for which may be inefficient nutritional management.

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Given the greater incidence and severity of obesity in Southern African American (SAAW) than Southern Caucasian women (SCW), it is important to determine factors contributing to this metabolic, racial disparity. Traditional Southern foods contribute to dietary patterns high in fat.

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The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is mainly known for being the precursor of the ß-amyloid peptide, which accumulates in plaques found in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Expression in different tissues and the degree of sequence identity among mammals indicate an essential and non-tissue specific physiological function.

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Childhood obesity has been described as the main health-related problem in developed countries, due to its link with physical, social and psychological consequences with an increased risk for developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.

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