Summary of Effects of Encapsulated Propolis on Blood Glycemic Control, Lipid Metabolism, and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rats

The research article EFFECTS OF ENCAPSULATED PROPOLIS ON BLOOD GLYCEMIC CONTROL, LIPID METABOLISM, AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELITUS RATS writen by Yangjing Li(from Zhejiang Univesity), examines the effects that ncapsulated propolis has on blood glycemic control, lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. (Propolis is a safe natural products which is a resinous hive material collected by honeybees from various plant sources. It is a popular folk medicine possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities, such as anticancer, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory)

In the method, the dependent variable is Male Sprague-Dawley rats of about 270~370g. The independent variable is Propolis, which was obtained from colonies of honeybees. During experimental session, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and injected with low-dose STZ 4 times every 6 days to induce the animal emerge T2DM symptom. For the grouping part, T2DM rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups via fasting glucose and fasting body weight: model control group, low-, middle- and high-dose encapsulated propolis group, and positive control group. These 5 groups were continued on their HFD for the duration of the study. 

The results show that at the beginning of drug administration, there were no differences in body weight. At the following 10 weeks period of drug administration, the body weight of each group increased gradually. Three weeks after drug administration, the body weight of model control group increased significantly than normal control group contemporary, and body weight of encapsulated propolis treated groups increased at equal pace with model control group; however, the body weight of T2DM rats treated with positive drug increased quicker than model control group, and had significant difference on 7th and 10th week of drug administration.

In conclusion, this research displays that encapsulated propolis exert multiple beneficial effects in fat-fed, streptozotocin-treated type 2 diabetes. Improvement of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidaemia is associated with a marked increase of insulin sensitivity. This study brings new light on innovational ways in treating type 2 diabetes. Further experiments are expected to gain more information and supports on clinical applications.  

The original study is retrieved from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3118452/?tool=pubmed

Diabetes and physical activity

Diabetes and physical activity

Chronic diseases, just as its name implies, is related to some long-term habit which can influence our body gradually. In fact, by merely changing our daily routine a bit, we can make a big difference in reducing the occurrence of diseases. As known, for keeping away from unhealthy life and diseases, physical activity is undoubtedly the best way to follow. In this blog, I’ll mainly talk about the relationship between diabetes and physical activity.  

(health information, 2010)

Diabetes is a chronic disease marked by high levels of sugar in the

blood. (PubMed health, 2010)  High blood pressure, family history, and obesity are all hidden causes of it. Fortunately, regular exercise helps with blood sugar control, weight loss, and high blood pressure. People with diabetes who exercise are less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those who do not exercise regularly.(PubMed health, 2010) We can also see it clearly from the diagram above that those who keep doing exercise have obvious decreased risk of developing diabetes.

Additionally, medical research is also found to be supportive. Early in 1991, a research carried out using questionnaires to examine patterns of physical activity and other personal characteristics in relation to the subsequent development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in 5990 male alumni of the University of Pennsylvania. The results display that increased physical activity is effective in preventing NIDDM, and the protective benefit is especially pronounced in persons at the highest risk for the disease. (Helmrich, 1991)

what type of exercise should we choose?

According to Canadian diabetes association, both aerobic and resistance exercise are important for people living with diabetes. For aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, running, swimming, dancing, and hockey, work your heart and lungs and carry oxygen to your muscles.  For resistance exercises such as weight training, increase muscle strength and complement the benefits of aerobic exercise. If you decide to begin resistance exercise, you should first get some instruction from a qualified exercise specialist and start slowly. (Canadian diabetes association, 2011)

How much is enough?

Your goal should be to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous- intensity aerobic exercise each week, (e.g. 30 minutes, 5 days a week).You may have to start slowly, with as little as 5 to 10 minutes of exercise per day, gradually building up to your goal. (Canadian diabetes association, 2011)

Finally, do keep in mind that whenever you are prepared to have exercise, it must be under instruction. Because inappropriate exercise may not only not helping  but can increase the danger risks.  

References:

Helmrich (1991), physical activity and reduced occurrence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Retrieved from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2052059

PubMed health (2011)

Retrieved from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002194/

Canadian diabetes association (2011). Physical activity and diabetes.

http://www.diabetes.ca/files/PhysicalActivity.pdf

Health information (2010)

Retrieved from:

http://www.casavis.org/2010/06/diabetes-exercise-questions-answered/

Controversy over chronic Lyme disease

Recently, whether or not the Lyme disease can be categorized within chronic diseases has aroused controversial argument in medical community.  Lyme disease, according to medical dictionary, is defined as an inflammatory disease characterized by a rash with joint swelling and fever; caused by bacteria carried by the bite of a deer tick. (William, 2008). The key point of this controversy goes to how long Lyme disease can last and whether it is easily diagnosed, treated and cured.

There are basically two views on the subject: One is stated by the Infectious Disease society of America (IDSA) that there is no convincing biological evidence for the existence of chronic Lyme infection and that long-term antibiotic treatment of "chronic Lyme disease" is unproven and unwarranted.  The other view is held by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) that current Lyme testing is largely inaccurate and likely to miss patients with chronic and ongoing infection, and that long term antibiotic treatment is indicated for those patients with chronic symptoms due to the persistence of the spirochete. (The school of medicine of Stanford, 2011)

Personally, I’m apt to agree with the view that ILADS holds which argues that chronic Lyme disease does exist and focuses on the alternative reasons for the chronic symptoms like ongoing infection. Compared with the IDSA’s point, this view is supported by the chronic Lyme patients and the physicians, which make it more reality-based—“We attest to the fact that we do much better when treated beyond those 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment. Our subjective experience is supported by a body of peer reviewed scientific research.” stated by physicians treating Lyme disease. As well, significant scientific literature can be found to support that the Lyme bacterium can survive this standard treatment.(Canadian Lyme disease Foundation, 2011) Therefore, with the patients’ real treatment experience together with supportive scientific literature review, I argue that chronic Lyme disease does exist and that we should protect the right of physicians to treat Lyme patients in the effective way that has works effectively for so long a time. 

The video is retrieved from:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74APsNq7NIQ

Webster's New World™ Medical Dictionary, 3rd Edition (2008) http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=13334

Canadian Lyme disease foundation (2011

):http://www.canlyme.com/nycontroversy.html

Stanford, school of medical (2011)

http://chronicfatigue.stanford.edu/infections/tick-borne-controversy.html 

Cardio Fuel——another magic pill for chronic disease?

Nowadays, it’s all too easy for us to get the health information from the internet. But the credibility of the information you get really matters. Because fake or unreliable information can be potentially harmful to our health. Here’s an example of health information that lacks credibility.

First，there is no reliable evidence to support that the Cardio Fuel can help treat  chronic diseases (no experiments provided and just by presenting the personal experiences is not enough). Second,since this statement comes form a supplement selling website, there is a potential bias that if you believe it and then they can gain the financial benefits. Third,the supplement selling website itself is a reliable source.(a journal article is more reliable)  Fourth, no time was provided in this statement, so we are not sure about its timeliness.  Fifth, according to that statement, this supplement can treat patients who suffer from various chronic diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and so on, which make it sounds like a magic pill that can help treat all the diseases and that doesn't make sense. 

To counter the statement above, here are some reliable information from the Science-based medicine website with author and time offered:

“First, it is not possible to directly measure ATP in a human being under normal clinical conditions, so any claims about this must be an inference from markers of ATP metabolism, or a guess.” (Peter, 2010) So, the Cardio fuel with ATP ingredients can treat so many chronic diseases doesn't make sense.

“A PubMed search for “CardioFuel” turned up nothing.  Of the ingredients claimed to boost energy, d-ribose is the one with the most literature—literature which is not favorable. ” (Peter, 2010) and this statement indicates that there is no evidence to support the authenticity that Cardiofuel can treat chronic diseases. 

As a whole, to search for reliable information about the health information, we should pay attention to its source, date, evidence and the person who says it. Only by confirming the credibility of the health information, can we really benefit from it. 

References:

Crisler J.,Cardio Fuel 

Retrieved from: http://www.i-supplements.com/cardiofuel.html

Lipson P., Feb 11,2010, Cardio Fuel—another magic pill

Retrieved from: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/cardiofuel-another-magic-pill/#comments

Spotlight on Chronic diseases

Hi, everyone! My name is Lu, from Kinesiology140 of SFU. My blog will concentrate on the health issue about chronic disease which is a truly threaten to our health but easily ignored, like an invisible killer. Chronic disease, according to wikipedia, is defined as a disease that is long-lasting or recurrent, the duration of which can last for more than 3 moths or it can relaspe repeatedly, with periods remission in between.


First, to emphasize  its urgency, I would like to present you some shocking data: chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 60% of all deaths. Out of the 35 million people who died from chronic disease in 2005, half were under 70 and half were women. (World Health Organization, 2011).  And things get even worse in China, according to Chinese media that chronic disease becomes the top killer to Chinese people. (Xinhua News agency, 2011)
Furtuher, we can see it clearly from this diagram above that the number of American people suffer from chronic diseases is on the sharp rise from 1995 to 2010.  Finally  in Canada, chronic diseases are projected to account for 89% of all deaths.(World Health Organization,2005). Shocking right? Chronic disease is not like incurable diseases but it dose account for a large percentage of deaths in the world.

Second, Chronic diseases can disturb people through nearlly all ages, especially, starting from adolescence and when people get older, they face more and more challenge, pressure and setbacks, which can change our mood, lifestyle, and finally our body. So the target audiences of my blog, as mentioned above, are expected to be all of you, particularly those aged from late teenage to mid-life.

Finally, the reason why I chose this topic is that I’ve been suffering from chronic enterogatritis myself and I know how it influences my life and that I’m not the only one. So, by posting my blogs, I want people to pay attention to the importance of chronic diseases, get more information about the potential causes, know the effect and learn how to deal with it by changing our lifestyle and receiving treatment. In my following blogs, I will specifically talk about the causes of several typical chronic diseases and how to treat them as well.


All in all, the chronic diseases is threatening our health today, with people from a large range of ages involved. It influences our health so badly that we should keep an eye on it and do learn the causes and some skills to keep away from those diseases. Additional, we should be careful when we search for relevant information, because fake or wrong information is not only unhelpful but likely to mislead and get in the way of our pursuit for living a healthy life.