The aim was to investigate effect of chitosan on markers of obesity and cardiometabolic risk in rats fed normal chow (NC) or high-fat/high-cholesterol diet (HF/HCD). Forty male rats were fed NC or HF/HCD for 3 months, then divided into 4 groups: group A fed NC, group B: NC + chitosan, group C: HF/HCD, and group D: HF/HCD + chitosan. Food intake and weight were recorded, and serum glucose, lipid profile, insulin, leptin, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and tumor necrosis factor α were measured at beginning and after 12 weeks. Atherogenic index (AI), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C:HDL-C), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. At the end of study, food intake was significantly increased in group B; mean values of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-C:HDL-C, and AI were decreased in group B and group D; mean leptin was increased in group A and decreased in group B; and mean values of insulin, HOMA-IR, and GGT were increased in group C. The results from this study suggest that chitosan improved lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and oxidative stress caused by HF/HCD.

Background: Obesity is a global health problem, increasing susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Varieties of products have been proposed for treatment with varying degrees of success. Recent studies, suggested Oligonol; an optimized phenolic product mixture from Lychee Fruit Polyphenols (LFP); as such treatment in Japanese population.Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of oligonol on weight, insulin resistance by (HOMA-IR), lipids profile, leptin, Adiponectin, and resistin in healthy overweight and obese Saudi females.Subjects and Methods: 60 Saudi healthy overweight and obese females were enrolled in a double blind case/control study to take either Oligonol or placebo for 12 weeks without dietary or lifestyle re-strictions. Weight, height, Waist Circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and blood pressure were measured, and fasting blood samples of participants were taken before, and at the end of study. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin were meas-ured. LDL- cholesterol, HOMA-IR were calculated by equation.Results: 47 subjects completed the study, 25 in placebo group, and 22 in Oligonol group. No ill effects were noted in any participant. Oligonol reduced means of serum triglycerides (P=0.008), and resistin (P=0.045) significantly. In addition, no weight gain was noted in oligonol group, unlike placebo group which exhibited significant increase in mean weight (P= 0.036), WC (P=0.027), HC (P= 0.047), and leptin (P <0.001).Conclusion: Oligonol could be suggested as future hypolipidemic and weight controlling agent for overweight and obese Saudi females.

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The association between lifestyle practices, obesity and increased BP are under-investigated. We aimed to investigate this association to identify the factors associated with hypertension and prehypertension in Saudis. Non-diabetic adults were recruited from public healthcare centers using a cross-sectional design. Recruits were interviewed using a predesigned questionnaire. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), neck circumference (NC) and BP were measured. The variables were analyzed by comparing the prehypertensive and hypertensive groups with the normotensive group. A total of 1334 adults were included. The study found that 47.2% of men and 24.7% of women were prehypertensive, and 15.1% of men and 14.4% of women were hypertensive. High BMI, WC, NC, and WC: HC ratios were associated with an increased risk of prehypertension and hypertension in men and women. Low physical activity was associated with an increased risk of elevated BP in men, while sleep duration of ≤6 h and sitting for ≥4 h were associated with increased risk in women. Women from central Asia, southeast Asia, and those of mixed origin had a higher prevalence of hypertension compared to those from Arabian tribes. In conclusion, prehypertension and hypertension increase with age and obesity. Gender differences were apparent in the association between several lifestyle practices and prehypertension or hypertension among various ethnic/racial groups.

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