L-ascorbic acid addition to chitosan reduces body weight in overweight women.

Previously, we have found that the addition of L-ascorbic acid to chitosan enhanced the reduction in body weight gain in guinea pigs fed a high-fat diet. We hypothesized that the addition of L-ascorbic acid to chitosan would accelerate the reduction of body weight in humans, similar to the animal model. Overweight subjects administered chitosan with or without L-ascorbic acid for 8 weeks, were assigned to three groups: Control group (N=26, placebo, vehicle only), Chito group (N=27, 3 g/day chitosan), and Chito-vita group (N=27, 3 g/day chitosan plus 2 g/day L-ascorbic acid). The body weights and body mass index (BMI) of the Chito and Chito-vita groups decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the Control group. The BMI of the Chito-vita group decreased significantly compared to the Chito group (Chito: -1.0 kg/m2 vs. Chito-vita: -1.6 kg/m2, p<0.05). The results showed that the chitosan enhanced reduction of body weight and BMI was accentuated by the addition of L-ascorbic acid. The fat mass, percentage body fat, body circumference, and skinfold thickness in the Chito and Chito-vita groups decreased more than the Control group; however, these parameters were not significantly different between the three groups. Chitosan combined with L-ascorbic acid may be useful for controlling body weight.

Anti-obesity effects of chitosan and psyllium husk with L-ascorbic acid in guinea pigs.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether L-Ascorbic acid would facilitate the anti-obesity effects of chitosan and psyllium husk in vivo. The study was carried out with male Hartley guinea pigs for 5 weeks. The results show that chitosan itself did not influence body weight gain and food efficiency ratio (FER). However, the addition of L-Ascorbic acid to chitosan decreased these parameters; the body weight gain and FER in the chitosan-2 group (high-fat diet group with 5 % chitosan containing 0.5 % L-Ascorbic acid) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that in F-controls (high-fat diet group), and was similar to that in controls (normal diet group). L-Ascorbic acid enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) the increases of total fecal weight and fecal fat excretion by chitosan. The addition of L-Ascorbic acid to psyllium husk did not differ from psyllium husk alone in terms of changes in weight gain, plasma lipid levels, and fat pad weight. We found that the addition of L-Ascorbic acid to chitosan influenced the reduction in body weight gain and FER, and the increase in total fecal weight and fecal fat excretion in guinea pigs fed a high-fat diet.

Radiological changes of the operated and adjacent segments following cervical arthroplasty after a minimum 24-month follow-up: comparison between the Bryan and Prodisc-C devices.

OBJECT: The purposes of this retrospective study were to determine the radiological changes at the index and adjacent levels after cervical arthroplasty using the Bryan disc and Prodisc-C disc after a minimum 24 months follow-up, and to demonstrate the possible clinical factors related to these changes. METHODS: Following single-level cervical arthroplasty using either the Bryan disc or Prodisc-C, the degree of facet degeneration and other radiological changes at the index and adjacent levels were assessed by observing radiographs and CT scans at a minimum 24 months after the operations. These findings were determined in relation to the clinical outcome, various perioperative factors, and prosthesis factors. Thirty-six patients were included in this investigation (19 in the Bryan disc group and 17 in the Prodisc-C group). RESULTS: At the index level, progression of facet arthrosis (PFA) was observed in 7 of 36 levels (1 level with the Bryan disc, 6 with the Prodisc-C). At adjacent levels, PFA was minimally observed. Heterotopic ossification (HO) was observed at 19 levels (11 with the Bryan disc, 8 with Prodisc-C). Progression of facet arthrosis at the index segments was positively related to malposition of the prosthesis on the frontal plane, and decreased postoperative functional spinal unit range of motion at the index level. Occurrence of HO was correlated with the preoperative calcification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at the operated level, regardless of prosthesis type. Clinical outcome and the occurrence of PFA or HO did not show any significant relationship. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the incidence of PFA at the index level is 19.4% after a minimum 24-month follow-up, and occurs more frequently in the Prodisc-C group. Progression of facet arthrosis is related to less functional spinal unit range of motion and anterior placement of the prosthesis. The occurrence rate of HO is high, regardless of the type of prosthesis, and it is significantly correlated with preoperative calcification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at the operated level.

Single-balloon kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures : far-lateral extrapedicular approach.

Single-balloon kyphoplasty via an extrapedicular approach has been reported to be effective because it requires less time than conventional two-balloon kyphoplasty and has comparable therapeutic efficacy. However, single-balloon kyphoplasty is not popular because the extrapedicular approach is believed to be complicated and unsuitable for the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine. The authors describe a standardized surgical technique that utilizes a far-lateral extrapedicular approach for single-balloon kyphoplasty, which can be performed in any part of the spine by physicians without substantial difficulty.