Impact of a lifestyle intervention program on cardio-metabolic parameters among obese adults: A comparative population-based study in West Bengal, India.

The obesity epidemic is not only limited to high-income or urbanized societies, but has also become prevalent among rural communities, even in India. Approaches to modifiable behaviors, like unhealthy dietary habits or a sedentary lifestyle, could bring positive results among obese populations. This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention programs to prevent obesity and cardio-metabolic risks among Bengali obese adults (Body Mass Index of 25-30kg/m2). The population was selected from rural and urban communities of Hooghly district in west Bengal, India and included 121 participants (20-50 years), divided into four groups (rural male, rural female, urban male, and urban female) who underwent a 12-month intervention program. Anthropometric parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, biochemical parameters (fasting blood glucose, fasting plasma insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR] and lipid profile), dietary habits, and physical activity profiles were assessed before the study (baseline), after 12 months of intervention (post-intervention), and after 24 months (follow-up), among all groups, to evaluate changes in data within and between the groups (rural vs. urban). The results showed a significant decline in anthropometric parameters and fasting blood glucose levels among all intervention groups, HOMA-IR in rural females, and serum triglyceride levels in urban groups. A significant improvement was noted regarding dietary habits and physical activity, even during follow-up. The impact of the intervention program did not show any rural-urban difference. The lifestyle intervention program was effective in reducing obesity and related health risks and promoting a healthy lifestyle among the target population.

Anti arthritic and anti inflammatory activity of a cytotoxic protein NN-32 from Indian spectacle cobra (Naja naja) venom in male albino rats.

The anti arthritic and anti inflammatory activity of NN-32, a cytotoxic protein from Indian spectacle cobra snake (Naja naja) venom has been studied in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis and carrageenan induced anti inflammatory model. NN-32 treatment showed significant decrease in physical and urinary parameters, serum enzymes, serum cytokines levels as compared to arthritic control group of rats. NN-32 treatment recovered carrageenan induced inflammation as compared to control group of rats. The findings showed that the cytotoxic protein NN-32 shares anti arthritic and anti inflammatory activity and thus NN-32 may target complex pathophysiological processes like cancer- arthritis-inflammation.