by Lewis Chang, PhD Data from a recent epidemiological study revealed the bidirectional, pathogenic relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension (HTN).1 Both T2D and HTN are important risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Previous epidemiological studies have shown that the presence of HTN predicts future T2D. An international team of researchers from Italy, Mexico and the US were interested in whether the presence of T2D predicted future HTN. Two cohorts were included in this study. The first was the…

What tools exist to help prevent chronic inflammation and disease? In his talk “Start the Resolution: Stopping the Progression of Chronic Disease,” Robert Martindale, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief for the Division of GI and General Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University, explores the newest paradigm in metabolic mediation: inflammation resolution physiology. Dr. Martindale differentiates between anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution actions in the body. He delves into the unique roles that polyunsaturated fatty acids and a novel lipid mediator class,…

Osama Hamdy, MD, PhD is the Medical Director of the Obesity Clinical Program at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hamdy  works in the inpatient clinic at Joslin and is the creator of the Joslin’s "Why Wait program." This presentation entitled “The Reality of Carbohydrate Intolerance” by Dr. Hamdy focuses on the clinical management of obese and diabetic patients. The video reviews the day to day practices that cause the epidemic…

Menopausal transition represents a critical period in women’s lives that marks an increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Traditional CVD risk factors, such as reduced glucose tolerance, increased blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction, tend to become very present during menopausal transition and post-menopausal years which can partly explain the augmentation in CVD risk among women. The natural decline in oestrogen levels during menopause has been associated with the increase in CVD risk among post-menopausal women. Similarly, VMS are postulated to…

Inflammation plays key role in many chronic conditions including IBD, arthritis, diabetes etc. Curcumin, as an active ingredient present in turmeric has long been known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. However, due to its poor bioavailbility in humans (1-2%), there was a need for developing formulations that increased its bioavailability. Curcuminoids in plasma exist in free and conjugated forms. Recent literature suggests that conjugated curcumin metabolites possess low bioactivity and permeability compared to free curcuminoids. Measurement of free curcuminoids…

Sedentary behaviors have been linked to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. In terms of potential mechanisms, research has revealed associations between sedentary time and cardiometabolic risk factors, including higher waist circumference, higher blood pressure, unbalanced glucose and insulin metabolism, and unfavorable blood lipid profile.1 Television watching and its negative impact on health have been well-documented. A recent research study examined whether other types of sedentary behaviors netted a similar, deleterious impact on health. Specifically, the group of public…

by Lewis Chang, PhD  A randomized trial demonstrated that Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) supplementation in combination with aspirin improved cognitive function after an ischemic stroke better than aspirin alone.1 Researchers from Nanjing University Medical School (Nanjing, China) conducted a randomized, open-label, single-blind trial.1 They enrolled 348 patients with an onset of acute ischemic stroke within 7 days from five hospitals in Jiangsu Province (Eastern China). Participants were randomly assigned to GBE (450 mg/day) plus aspirin (100 mg/day) or only aspirin…

In the first part of an interview series, Charles Serhan, PhD, DSc answers the question “How and when did you determine the significant of resolution physiology to human health?” Dr. Serhan shares an edifying history of resolution physiology: from early microscope observations of leukocytic infiltration, to the turning point lipoxin discoveries in the 1990s, to the latest research insights and inquiries today. Once thought to be a passive event mediated by chemokines, resolution is now known to be an active…

In the 2nd part of a new SPM interview series, Charles Serhan, PhD, DSc answers the question: “Can you describe some therapeutic areas where specialized pro-resolving mediators are currently being investigated for clinical use?” Dr. Serhan discusses the most current therapeutic research assessing SPM efficacy, including pulmonary, cardiometabolic, vascular, joint and cognitive health, as well as pain and wound healing. Charles Serhan, PhD, DSc is Director of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury at Brigham and Women’s Hospital…

In the 3rd part of a new SPM interview series, Charles Serhan, PhD, DSc answers the question: “Are there any recent findings or results in resolvins research that have surprised you?” Dr. Serhan discusses the recently discovered resolution role of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in the adaptive immune response, including the regulation of B cell function and facilitating antibody production. Charles Serhan, PhD, DSc is Director of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury at Brigham and Women’s Hospital…