| 1. |
- Ahluwalia, Bani, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of Aloe barbadensis Mill. extract (AVH200 (R)) on human blood T cell activity in vitro
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Journal of Ethnopharmacology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-8741 .- 1872-7573. ; 179, s. 301-309
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Aloe vera) is a widely used medicinal plant well reputed for its diverse therapeutic applications. It has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine to treat various conditions and the Aloe vera gel has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory as well as immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory properties. However, the mode of action is still unclear. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was determine the effects of two well-defined A. barbadensis Mill. extracts AVH200 (R) and AVE200 on human blood T cells in vitro. Materials and methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were stimulated polyclonally in the presence or absence of AVH200 (R) and AVE200. The T cell phenotype was investigated by flow cytometry, cell proliferation was determined by CFSE dye and thymidine assay, respectively and cytokine secretion was determined by MSD (R) Multi-Spot Assay system and ELISA. Results: The presence of AVH200 (R) resulted in a reduced expression of CD25 among CD3(+) T cells and suppression of T cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, AVH200 (R) reduced the expression of CD28 on CD3(+) T cells. AVH200 (R) also reduced the secretion of IL-2, IFN-gamma and IL-17A in PBMC cultures. The AVH200 (R) dose dependent reduction in T cell activation and proliferation recorded in the cell cultures was not due to apoptosis or cell death. Additionally, AVH200 (R) was found to be more effective as compared to AVE200 in reducing T cell activation and proliferation. Conclusion: AVH200 (R) has the potential to reduce the activation, proliferation and cytokine secretion of healthy human blood T cells. Our study suggests that AVH200 (R) has a suppressive effect on human blood T cells in vitro.
|
|
| 2. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979, et al.
(författare)
-
Autonomic nervous system activation mediates the increase in whole-body glucose uptake in response to electroacupuncture
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Faseb Journal. - : Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 31:8, s. 3288-3297
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A single bout of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) causing muscle contractions increases whole-body glucose uptake in insulin-resistant rats. We explored the underlying mechanism of this finding and whether it can be translated into clinical settings. Changes in glucose infusion rate (GIR) were measured by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp during and after 45 min of low-frequency EA in 21 overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 21 controls matched for age, weight, and body mass index (experiment 1) and in rats receiving autonomic receptor blockers (experiment 2). GIR was higher after EA in controls and women with PCOS. Plasma serotonin levels and homovanillic acid, markers of vagal activity, decreased in both controls and patients with PCOS. Adipose tissue expression of pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF) decreased, and the mature NGF/proNGF ratio increased after EA in PCOS, but not in controls, suggesting increased sympathetic-driven adipose tissue metabolism. Administration of alpha-/beta-adrenergic receptor blockers in rats blocked the increase in GIR in response to EA. Muscarinic and dopamine receptor antagonist also blocked the response but with slower onset. In conclusion, a single bout of EA increases whole-body glucose uptake by activation of the sympathetic and partly the parasympathetic nervous systems, which could have important clinical implications for the treatment of insulin resistance.
|
|
| 3. |
- Do, Loan Minh, et al.
(författare)
-
Vietnamese mother's conceptions of childhood overweight: findings from a qualitative study
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Global Health Action. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1654-9880 .- 1654-9716. ; 9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Childhood overweight and obesity is a new and emerging problem in Vietnam. The so far observed prevalence increases have pointed to the need for public health intervention strategies with parents as crucial resources for change. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand mothers' conceptions of childhood overweight. Design: Four focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 33 mothers of preschool children, 4-6 years old, living in urban and rural districts of Hanoi, Vietnam. The discussions were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. The obtained data were analyzed using the principles of phenomenography. Results: Four main categories with 13 subcategories emerged in the process of analysis. The first category, called 'Concept of overweight', contained mothers' views on childhood overweight. A major concern was the negative aspects of overweight such as impaired social interaction and health problems. The second category, 'Identification of overweight', described the ways mothers use to recognize overweight in children: own experience, growth chart, and public or health care system's information. The third category, 'Causes of overweight', showed mothers' understanding of factors possibly contributing to overweight development: unhealthy food and lifestyle, genetic susceptibility, parent's lack of knowledge, and limited time to take care of children as well as economic improvement. The fourth category, 'Management of overweight', described the ways mothers use to manage a child's weight problem: control of their food intake, increasing their physical activity, and encouraging their child self-control. However, they find such strategies difficult to implement and their intentions are sometimes challenged by the child's grandparents. Conclusions: The study gives an understanding of the mothers' conceptions of four important and practically useful aspects of overweight in children. The findings highlight the roles of media and the health care system in enhancing a social awareness of the problem and the need for prevention. Growth charts need to be used more regularly and consciously in child health care for early detection of children at risk and as a tool for information to parents. When designing intervention programs, the entire extended families, especially grandparents and their roles, need to be considered.
|
|
