scholarly journals Berberis aristata, Elaeis guineensis and Coffea canephora Extracts Modulate the Insulin Receptor Expression and Improve Hepatic Steatosis in NAFLD Patients: A Pilot Clinical Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3070
Author(s):  
Valentina Cossiga ◽  
Vincenzo Lembo ◽  
Maria Guarino ◽  
Concetta Tuccillo ◽  
Federica Morando ◽  
...  

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with insulin resistance and diabetes. A reduction in insulin receptor (IR) expression has been reported in these patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of a mixture of plant extracts consisting of Berberis aristata, Elaeis guineensis and decaffeinated green coffee by Coffea canephora on the improvement of glycaemic profile, through the modulation of IR levels, and of hepatic steatosis in NAFLD patients. Forty-nine patients with a grade of steatosis S1-S2 were randomly allocated to the treatment with plant extracts or placebo for six months. Hepatic steatosis was evaluated using transient elastography with CAP (controlled attenuation parameter). Glucose, insulin, and IR levels were measured in serum samples. At the end of the study, patients treated with plant extracts displayed a significant reduction of serum glucose (p < 0.001), insulin levels (p < 0.01), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index (p < 0.001), and CAP value (p < 0.01) compared to placebo. Moreover, the IR expression was increased significantly in the plant extracts group compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). The combination of plant extracts increases serum IR levels, determining amelioration of glycemic profile and improvement of hepatic steatosis in NAFLD patients.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1281
Author(s):  
Valentina Cossiga ◽  
Vincenzo Lembo ◽  
Cecilia Nigro ◽  
Paola Mirra ◽  
Claudia Miele ◽  
...  

Non-alcoholic-fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is spreading worldwide. Specific drugs for NAFLD are not yet available, even if some plant extracts show beneficial properties. We evaluated the effects of a combination, composed by Berberis Aristata, Elaeis Guineensis and Coffea Canephora, on the development of obesity, hepatic steatosis, insulin-resistance and on the modulation of hepatic microRNAs (miRNA) levels and microbiota composition in a mouse model of liver damage. C57BL/6 mice were fed with standard diet (SD, n = 8), high fat diet (HFD, n = 8) or HFD plus plant extracts (HFD+E, n = 8) for 24 weeks. Liver expression of miR-122 and miR-34a was evaluated by quantitativePCR. Microbiome analysis was performed on cecal content by 16S rRNA sequencing. HFD+E-mice showed lower body weight (p < 0.01), amelioration of insulin-sensitivity (p = 0.021), total cholesterol (p = 0.014), low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (p < 0.001), alanine-aminotransferase (p = 0.038) and hepatic steatosis compared to HFD-mice. While a decrease of hepatic miR-122 and increase of miR-34a were observed in HFD-mice compared to SD-mice, both these miRNAs had similar levels to SD-mice in HFD+E-mice. Moreover, a different microbial composition was found between SD- and HFD-mice, with a partial rescue of dysbiosis in HFD+E-mice. This combination of plant extracts had a beneficial effect on HFD-induced NAFLD by the modulation of miR-122, miR-34a and gut microbiome.


2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 398-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akcam ◽  
Boyaci ◽  
Pirgon ◽  
Kaya ◽  
Uysal ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether metformin or vitamin E treatment for six months is effective in reducing body weight, blood pressure, and also ameliorating insulin resistance, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in obese adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Sixty-seven obese adolescents with liver steatosis (age range, 9 - 17 years) were included in the study. The metformin group received an 850-mg dose of metformin daily and the vitamin E group received 400 U vitamin E /daily, in capsule form for 6 months, plus an individually tailored diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy. Results: After 6 months later, there was a significant decline in body mass index, and fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) values in all three groups. Moreover, in comparingson of changes in HOMA among the groups, the metformin- treated group showed significantly improved metabolic control and insulin sensitivity (HOMA) at the end of the study. There were no significant differences for changes of adiponectin, TNF-alpha, in all three groups after 6 months study. Conclusion: These data suggest that metformin treatment is more effective than dietary advice and vitamin E treatment in reducing insulin resistance, and also in ameliorating metabolic parameters such as fasting insulin and lipid levels, in obese adolescents having NAFLD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eline H. van den Berg ◽  
Eke G. Gruppen ◽  
Hans Blokzijl ◽  
Stephan J.L. Bakker ◽  
Robin P.F. Dullaart

A higher sodium intake is conceivably associated with insulin resistant conditions like obesity, but associations of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with a higher sodium intake determined by 24 hours (24 h) urine collections are still unclear. Dietary sodium intake was measured by sodium excretion in two complete consecutive 24 h urine collections in 6132 participants of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease (PREVEND) cohort. Fatty Liver Index (FLI) ≥60 and Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) >36 were used as proxies of suspected NAFLD. 1936 (31.6%) participants had an FLI ≥60, coinciding with the increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), metabolic syndrome, hypertension and history of cardiovascular disease. Sodium intake was higher in participants with an FLI ≥60 (163.63 ± 61.81 mmol/24 h vs. 136.76 ± 50.90 mmol/24 h, p < 0.001), with increasing incidence in ascending quartile categories of sodium intake (p < 0.001). Multivariably, an FLI ≥60 was positively associated with a higher sodium intake when taking account for T2D, a positive cardiovascular history, hypertension, alcohol intake, smoking and medication use (odds ratio (OR) 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–1.64, p < 0.001). Additional adjustment for the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) diminished this association (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.21–1.41, p < 0.001). HSI >36 showed similar results. Associations remained essentially unaltered after adjustment for body surface area or waist/hip ratio. In conclusion, suspected NAFLD is a feature of higher sodium intake. Insulin resistance-related processes may contribute to the association of NAFLD with sodium intake.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e001975
Author(s):  
Nicolas Quezada ◽  
Ilse Valencia ◽  
Javiera Torres ◽  
Gregorio Maturana ◽  
Jaime Cerda ◽  
...  

IntroductionSystemic chronic low-grade inflammation has been linked to insulin resistance (IR) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and its final product, interleukin (IL)-1β, exert detrimental effects on insulin sensitivity and promote liver inflammation in murine models. Evidence linking hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome, systemic IR and NASH has been scarcely explored in humans. Herein, we correlated the hepatic abundance of NLRP3 inflammasome components and IR and NASH in humans.Research design and methodsMetabolically healthy (MH) (n=11) and metabolically unhealthy (MUH) (metabolic syndrome, n=21, and type 2 diabetes, n=14) subjects were recruited. Insulin sensitivity (homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and Oral Glucose Sensitivity (OGIS120)), glycemic (glycated hemoglobin), and lipid parameters were determined by standard methods. Plasma cytokines were quantified by Magpix. Hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome components were determined at the mRNA and protein levels by reverse transcription–quantitative PCR and western blot, respectively. Liver damage was assessed by histological analysis (Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Activity Score (NAS) and Steatosis, Inflammatory Activity, and Fibrosis (SAF) scores). IR and liver histopathology were correlated with NLRP3 inflammasome components as well as with liver and plasma IL-1β levels.ResultsBody Mass Index, waist circumference, and arterial hypertension frequency were significantly higher in MUH subjects. These patients also had increased high-sensitivity C reactive protein levels compared with MH subjects. No differences in the plasma levels of IL-1β nor the hepatic content of Nlrp3, apoptosis-associated speck-like (Asc), Caspase-1, and IL-1β were detected between MUH and MH individuals. MUH subjects had significantly higher NAS and SAF scores, indicating more severe liver damage. However, histological severity did not correlate with the hepatic content of NLRP3 inflammasome components nor IL-1β levels.ConclusionOur results suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome activation is linked neither to IR nor to the inflammatory status of the liver in MUH patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qun Zhang ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Canqin Yun ◽  
Juan Wang

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the application value of serum 25(OH)D3, uric acid, triglyceride (TG), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in male patients with hyperuricemia combined with hypogonadism. Methods From August 2018 to August 2020, a total of 198 male patients with primary hyperuricemia were prospectively enrolled in our hospital for inpatient treatment in the department of Metabolism and Endocrinology. They are divided into normal gonadal function group (normal group, n = 117) and hypogonadal function group (hypogonadism group, n = 81), according to free testosterone (FT) level, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), and androgen deficiency in the aging male (ADAM) questionnaires. Laboratory indexes were compared between two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of hypogonadism. Results Among the 198 hyperuricemia patients, 40.91 % were hypogonadism. Compared with the normal group, the BMI, waist circumference (WC), and the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidemia (HLP), and obesity (OB) in the hypogonadism group were higher, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05, respectively). The levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triacylglycerol (TG), serum uric acid (SUA), alanine transaminase (ALT) of hypogonadism group were higher than those of normal group, while the levels of TT, FT, E2, 25(OH)D3 of hypogonadism group were lower than those of normal group (P < 0.05, respectively). Pearson’s linear correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the indicators with significant differences in general data and laboratory indicators and hypogonadism. BMI, WC, HOMA-IR, TG, SUA, TT, FT, 25(OH)D3, E2 were positively correlated with hypogonadism (r = 0.556, 0.139, 0.473, 0.143, 0.134, 0.462, 0.419, 0.572, 0.601, P = 0.012, 0.027, 0.018, 0.019, 0.028, 0.029, 0.030, 0.009, 0.003, respectively). Taking the above indicators as independent variables and hypogonadism as the dependent variable, logistic regression analysis found that the risk factors for hypogonadism were SUA, WC, BMI, HOMA-IR, TG, TT, FT, E2, and 25(OH) D3. Conclusions Serum 25(OH)D3, SUA, HOMA-IR, TG levels were positively correlated with male hyperuricemia patients with hypogonadism. They have important application value in the diagnosis of male hyperuricemia patients with hypogonadism.


Metabolism ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Jia Kong ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Dan-Qing Song ◽  
Rong Xue ◽  
Wei Zhao ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Eunice Limantara ◽  
Felicia Kartawidjajaputra ◽  
Antonius Suwanto

Early detection of insulin resistance (IR) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is crucial to preventing future risks of developing chronic diseases. The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), Liver Fat Score (LFS), and Fatty Liver Index (FLI) are generally employed to measure severity stages of IR and NAFLD. The study of gene expressions could explain the molecular mechanisms that occur early on in IR and NAFLD; thus providing potential early markers for both diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the gene expressions that could potentially be early markers of IR and NAFLD. All participants (n = 21) had normal blood glucose and were categorized as without hepatosteatosis (n = 10), at higher risk of hepatosteatosis (n = 6), and hepatosteatosis (n = 5). Gene expression analysis was performed using the 2-∆∆CT relative quantification method. There were significant differences in galnt2 (p < 0.002) and sirt1 (p < 0.010) expression between the first and the third tertiles of HOMA-IR; and in ptpn1 (p < 0.012) expression between the first and the second tertiles of LFS. In conclusion, the expressions of galnt2 and sirt1 could be used as early markers of IR, while the expression of ptpn1 could be employed as an early marker of NAFLD.


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