Calorie shifting diet versus calorie restriction diet: a comparative clinical trial study

Finding new tolerable methods in weight loss has largely been an issue of interest for specialists. Present study compared a novel method of calorie shifting diet [CSD] with classic calorie restriction [CR] on weight loss in overweight and obese subjects. Seventy-four subjects [body mass index >/= 25; 37] were randomized to 4 weeks control diet, 6 weeks CSD or CR diets, and 4 weeks follow-up period. CSD consisted of three phases each lasts for 2 weeks, 11 days calorie restriction which included four meals every day, and 4 h fasting between meals follow with 3 days self-selecting diet. CR subjects receive determined low calorie diet. Anthropometric and metabolic measures were assessed at different time points in the study. Four weeks after treatment, significant weight, and fat loss started [6.02 and 5.15 kg] and continued for 1 month of follow-up [5.24 and 4.3 kg], which was correlated to the restricted energy intake [P < 0.05]. During three CSD phases, resting metabolic rate tended to remain unchanged. The decrease in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and triacylglycerol were greater among subjects on the CSD diet [P < 0.05]. Feeling of hunger decreased and satisfaction increased among those on the CSD diet after 4 weeks [P < 0.05]. The CSD diet was associated with a greater improvement in some anthropometric measures, Adherence was better among CSD subjects. Longer and larger studies are required to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of CSD diet

Caffeine treatment prevented from weight regain after calorie shifting diet induced weight loss

Low calorie diets are always difficult for obese subjects to follow and lead to metabolic and behavioral adaptation. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of caffeine treatment with calorie shifting diet [CSD] on weight loss. Female subjects [n=60; BMI>25] completed 4-weeks control diet, 6-weeks CSD [3 repeated phases; each 2-weeks] and 4-weeks follow-up diet, with or without caffeine treatment [5 mg/Kg/day]. The first 11 days of each phase included calorie restriction with four meals every day and 4 hours intervals. Significant weight and fat loss were observed after 4-weeks of CSD [5.7 +/- 1.24 Kg and 4.84 +/- 1.53 Kg] or CSD+Caffeine [7.57 +/- 2.33 Kg and 5.24 +/- 2.07 Kg] which was consistent for one month of the follow-up [CSD: 5.24 +/- 1.83 Kg and 4.3 +/- 1.62 Kg, CSD+Caffeine: 12.11 +/- 2.31 Kg and 9.85 +/- 1.6 Kg, p < 0.05 vs CSD group] and correlated to the restricted energy intake [p < 0.05]. During three CSD phases. RMR tended to remain unchanged in both groups. While, CSD or CSD + Caffeine treatments, significantly decreased plasma glucose, total-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol [p < 0.05], even during follow-up period [p < 0.05]. HDL-cholesterol was not changed by CSD. Feeling of hunger decreased and subject's satisfaction increased after 4-weeks of CSD [p < 0.05] and remained low to the end of study, while satiety was not affected. Coffeine increased the effect of CSD on feeling of hunger and subject's satisfaction after week 7 [p < 0.05 vs. CSD]. These findings indicated that combination of caffeine treatment with CSD could be an effective alternative approach to weight and fat loss with small changes in RMR and improved tolerance of subjects to the new diet

BCL-2 and bax expression in skin flaps treated with finasteride or azelaic acid

Despite all modern surgical techniques, skin flap that is considered as the main method in most reconstructive surgeries puts the skin tissue at danger of necrosis and apoptosis derived from ischemia. Therefore, finding a treatment for decreasing the apoptosis derived from flap ischemia will be useful in clinic. In present study, we evaluated the effect of azelaic acid 20% and finasteride on expression of BCL-2 and bax proteins after the skin flap surgery. For this purpose, 21 rats were entered in three groups including control, azelaic acid 20% and finasteride, all experienced skin flap surgery and then flap tissue was assessed for determining the expression of proteins in 5 slices prepared from each rat that were graded between - to +++ scales. Both azelaic acid and finasteride increased the expression of BCL-2 protein [p < 0.05] and decrease the expression of bax protein [p < 0.05]. These results suggested an antiapoptotic role for finasteride and azelaic acid in preserving the flap after the ischemia reperfusion insult

Nitric oxide is necessary for diazoxide protection against ischemic injury in skeletal muscle

Ischemia reperfusion injury [IR injury] is a common problem in clinical conditions. Researches have frequently revealed that ATP- sensitive potassium [K[ATP]] channels and nitric oxide plays a role in protection against ischemic injury in skeletal muscle. The present study aimed at evaluating the possible link between this two pathways. Sixty-eight male wistar rats, were pretreated with saline, diazoxide [K[ATP] opener; 45 mg/Kg, IP], glibenclamide [K[ATP] inhibitor; 5 mg/Kg], or L-NAME [iNOS inhibitor; 20 mg/Kg, IP] before 3 h ischemia and 2 h reperfusion. Activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT], and the level of malondialdehyde [MDA] and expression of iNOS were measured in muscle tissue. Tissue MDA content was significantly increased by IR [p < 0.001]. Diazoxide significantly decreased the IR-induced elevation of tissue MDA level [p < 0.05] and Glibenclamide increased MDA [p < 0.05 vs. IR group]. L-NAME inhibited the effect of diazoxide on decreasing MDA [p < 0.01 vs., diazoxide+IR group] and IR decreased the activity of SOD and CAT [p < 0.01], while pretreatment with diazoxide increased activity of SOD and CAT [p < 0.01]. Glibenclamide decreased SOD and CAT activity after IR [p < 0.05]. L-NAME pretreatment in diazoxide-treated rats abolished the effect of diazoxide on increasing the activity of SOD and CAT [p < 0.05 vs. Diaz+IR]. Expression of iNOS was increased by IR [p < 0.01 vs. Sham group]. Diazoxide significantly decreased iNOS expression after IR [p < 0.05 vs. IR]. L-NAME significantly decreased iNOS expression after IR [p < 0.01] in diazoxide-treated rats [p < 0.01 vs. Diaz+IR]