OBJECTIVE -The objective of this study was to determine whether cinnamon improves blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -A total of 60 people with type 2 diabetes, 30 men and 30 women aged 52.2 Ϯ 6.32 years, were divided randomly into six groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 consumed 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon daily, respectively, and groups 4, 5, and 6 were given placebo capsules corresponding to the number of capsules consumed for the three levels of cinnamon. The cinnamon was consumed for 40 days followed by a 20-day washout period.RESULTS -After 40 days, all three levels of cinnamon reduced the mean fasting serum glucose (18 -29%), triglyceride (23-30%), LDL cholesterol (7-27%), and total cholesterol (12-26%) levels; no significant changes were noted in the placebo groups. Changes in HDL cholesterol were not significant. CONCLUSIONS -The results of this study demonstrate that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes Care 26:3215-3218, 2003T he incidence of cardiovascular diseases is increased two-to fourfold in people with type 2 diabetes (1). Although the causes of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are multifactorial, diet definitely plays a role in the incidence and severity of these diseases. The dietary components beneficial in the prevention and treatment of these diseases have not been clearly defined, but it is postulated that spices may play a role. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, and turmeric display insulin-enhancing activity in vitro (2,3). Botanical products can improve glucose metabolism and the overall condition of individuals with diabetes not only by hypoglycemic effects but also by improving lipid metabolism, antioxidant status, and capillary function (4). A number of medicinal/culinary herbs have been reported to yield hypoglycemic effects in patients with diabetes. Examples of these include bitter melon, Gymnema, Korean ginseng, onions, garlic, flaxseed meal, and specific nutrients including ␣-lipoic acid, biotin, carnitine, vanadium, chromium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B 3 , E, and K (5).Rashwan (6) reported that supplementation of the diet of rabbits with fenugreek decreased total serum lipid level. In rats, curry leaf and mustard seeds decreased total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol levels (7) and reduced cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids in aorta, liver, and heart (8). The LDL and VLDL fractions were also decreased and the HDL fraction was increased. Coriander seeds fed to rats consuming a high-fat diet led to decreased LDL, VLDL, and total cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol (9). Zhang et al. (10) reported tha...

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BACKGROUND The measurement of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been applied to a wide array of clinical applications, mainly based on its ability to reflect the number of antral and pre-antral follicles present in the ovaries. AMH has been suggested to predict the ovarian response to hyperstimulation of the ovaries for IVF and the timing of menopause, and to indicate iatrogenic damage to the ovarian follicle reserve. It has also been proposed as a surrogate for antral follicle count (AFC) in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS This paper is a summary of presentations at a European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology campus workshop on AMH, with literature cited until September 2013. Published peer-reviewed medical literature about AMH was searched through MEDLINE and was subjected to systematic review and critical assessment by the panel of authors. RESULTS Physiologically, recent data confirm that AMH is a follicular gatekeeper limiting follicle growth initiation, and subsequently estradiol production from small antral follicles prior to selection. AMH assays continue to evolve and technical issues remain; the absence of an international standard is a key issue. The dynamics of circulating AMH levels throughout life can be split into several distinct phases, with a peak in the early 20s before a decline to the menopause, with a strong and positive correlation with non-growing follicle recruitment. There is a more complex rise during childhood and adolescence, which is likely to be more reflective of different stages of follicle development. AMH shows limited short-term variability, but the influence of states such as prolonged oral contraceptive use need to be considered in clinical assessment. There are only very limited data on relationships between AMH and natural fertility at different stages of reproductive life, and while it has a relationship to age at menopause the marked variability in this needs further exploration. AMH may be useful in assessing the need for fertility preservation strategies and detecting post-chemotherapy or surgical damage to the ovarian reserve. Long-term follow-up of patients to ascertain fully the value of post-cancer serum AMH in predicting long-term ovarian function is required. There is a linear relationship between AMH and oocyte yield after ovarian stimulation, which is of value in predicting ovarian hyperstimulation. AMH can also identify 'poor responders', but it seems inappropriate at present to withhold IVF purely on this basis. Women with PCOS show markedly raised AMH levels, due to both the increased number of small antral follicles and intrinsic characteristics of those granulosa cells, and this may contribute to anovulation. The value of AMH in the diagnosis of PCOS remains controversial, but it may replace AFC in the future. CONCLUSIONS For the first time in female reproductive biology, it is possible to measure the submerged part of the iceberg of follicle growth, i.e. the intrinsic, so-called 'acyclic' ovarian activity. ...

There is mounting evidence to support the influence of inflammation in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Indeed, AF is associated with increased levels of known inflammatory markers, even after adjustment for confounding factors. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) appears to play a key role in this process. Atrial biopsies from patients with AF have also confirmed the presence of inflammation. Furthermore, there is preliminary evidence to support a number of drug therapies that have the potential to reduce the clinical burden of AF. In this review, we present an overview of the evidence supporting a link between inflammation and AF, and some of the drug therapies, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, steroids, fish oils, and vitamin C, that might be efficacious in the prevention of AF by modulating inflammatory pathways.

The causes and control of type 2 diabetes mellitus are not clear, but there is strong evidence that dietary factors are involved in its regulation and prevention. We have shown that extracts from cinnamon enhance the activity of insulin. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize insulin-enhancing complexes from cinnamon that may be involved in the alleviation or possible prevention and control of glucose intolerance and diabetes. Water-soluble polyphenol polymers from cinnamon that increase insulin-dependent in vitro glucose metabolism roughly 20-fold and display antioxidant activity were isolated and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. The polymers were composed of monomeric units with a molecular mass of 288. Two trimers with a molecular mass of 864 and a tetramer with a mass of 1152 were isolated. Their protonated molecular masses indicated that they are A type doubly linked procyanidin oligomers of the catechins and/or epicatechins. These polyphenolic polymers found in cinnamon may function as antioxidants, potentiate insulin action, and may be beneficial in the control of glucose intolerance and diabetes.

Volume 31 -Issue 12 -2020 BMT, bone marrow transplantation; CED, cyclophosphamide equivalent dose; ChT, chemotherapy; FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone; RT, radiotherapy. a Adapted from Lee et al. 10 Table contains examples and is not a complete list.M. Lambertini et al.

One of the most devastating consequences of cancer treatment in the young female population is ovarian damage, resulting in diminished fertility potential. The extent of damage is related to age, chemotherapeutic regimen, and dose of pelvic radiation received. It is crucial that physicians know the impact each of these factors has on future fertility to advice patients on fertility preservation options. Anticancer drugs injure the female reproductive system through ovarian follicular and stromal damage. Although the exact mechanisms of damage remain unclear, it is essential to better understand these mechanisms to develop methods to diminish ovarian injury.