Diabetology

8 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Development of a Modified Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and Its Construct Validity among Adults in Kerala, India

by Thirunavukkarasu Sathish and Elezebeth Mathews

Diabetology 2023, 4(2), 235-242; https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology4020020 - 20 Jun 2023

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Abstract

There is a need for a modified Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) to estimate physical activity levels more accurately in populations. We aimed to develop a modified GPAQ and examine its construct validity among adults in Kerala, India. We incorporated locality-specific, metabolic equivalent [...] Read more.

There is a need for a modified Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) to estimate physical activity levels more accurately in populations. We aimed to develop a modified GPAQ and examine its construct validity among adults in Kerala, India. We incorporated locality-specific, metabolic equivalent task (MET)-based activities into the original GPAQ and administered this modified GPAQ among randomly selected 451 individuals (age ≥ 20 years) residing in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. Construct validity of the modified GPAQ was assessed using generalized linear models by examining the association of total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) MET-minutes per week with clinical measures. The mean age of participants was 45.4 (SD: 14.1) years, and 52.6% were female. Increasing total MVPA MET-minutes per week was associated with decreasing weight (β = −0.011 kg, 95% CI: −0.020, −0.002), waist circumference (β = −0.013 cm, 95% CI: −0.023, −0.004), and systolic blood pressure (β = −0.009 mmHg, 95% CI: −0.015, −0.002), independent of age, sex, education, occupation, current smoking, current alcohol use, and fruit and vegetable intake. The validity coefficients and associations between total MVPA MET-minutes per week and theoretical constructs of physical activity agreed with those predicted, providing evidence of construct validity for the modified GPAQ. Full article

49 pages, 38906 KiB

Open AccessReview

Diabetes Mellitus Management: An Extensive Review of 37 Medicinal Plants

by Khwaja Zohura Zanzabil, Md. Sabbir Hossain and Md. Kamrul Hasan

Diabetology 2023, 4(2), 186-234; https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology4020019 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 7106

Abstract

Plants have been used as sources of medicine since ancient times. Natural products have been used extensively in Chinese, ayurvedic and folk medicine. In addition, a significant portion of the world’s population still utilizes herbal medicine. Diabetes is a common ailment affecting almost [...] Read more.

Plants have been used as sources of medicine since ancient times. Natural products have been used extensively in Chinese, ayurvedic and folk medicine. In addition, a significant portion of the world’s population still utilizes herbal medicine. Diabetes is a common ailment affecting almost 463 million people in the world. However, current medications exert harmful after-effects on patients, while herbal medicines have fewer adverse effects. Plants possess secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, etc., which exert numerous beneficial effects on health. Extensive research has been conducted over the years investigating and proving the hypoglycemic potential of various plants. The present paper reviews 37 such plants that are rich in phytoconstituents that possess a variety of pharmacological activities and have been experimentally proven to possess potentially hypoglycemic properties in animal models: Ficus racemosa, Agremone mexicana, Bombax ceiba, Cajanus cajan, Coccinia cordifolia, Momordica charantia, Syzygium cumini, Neolamarckia cadamba, Mangifera indica, Cocos nucifera, Tamarindus indica, Punica granatum, Azadirachta indica, Costus speciosus, Moringa oleifera, Andrographis paniculata, Ficus benghalensis, Anacardium occidentale, Annona squamosa, Boerhaavia diffusa, Catharanthus roseus, Cocculus hirsutus, Ficus hispida, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia catappa, Amaranthus tricolor, Blumea lacera, Piper betle leaves, Achyranthes aspera, Kalanchoe pinnata, Nelumbo nucifera, Mikania cordata, Wedelia chinensis, Murraya koenigii, Aloe barbadensis, Bryophyllum pinnatum and Asparagus racemosus. These 37 plant extracts exhibit antidiabetic activities through different mechanisms, including α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, increases in glucose uptake and the stimulation of insulin secretion. Full article

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2 pages, 193 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Nutritional Modulation of Dietary Sugars as a Strategy to Improve Insulin Resistance and Energy Balance in Diabetes

by Paulo Matafome

Diabetology 2023, 4(2), 184-185; https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology4020018 - 10 Jun 2023

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Abstract

Lifestyle changes and less healthy behaviours include dietary changes toward increased consumption of Westernised diets and processed food [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Modulation of Dietary Sugars as a Strategy to Improve Insulin Resistance and Energy Balance in Diabetes)

6 pages, 660 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Impact of Dietary Sugars on β-Cell Function

by Ananda Malta, Lucas Paulo Jacinto Saavedra, Scarlett Rodrigues Raposo, Gabriel Kian Guimarães Lopes, Maryana Debossan Fernandes, Letícia Ferreira Barbosa, Douglas Lopes Almeida and Paulo Cezar de Freitas Mathias

Diabetology 2023, 4(2), 178-183; https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology4020017 - 01 May 2023

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Abstract

Regular consumption of dietary sugars can cause significant damage to the β-cells. Almost a century after the discovery of insulin, it has been suggested that the frequent consumption of certain carbohydrates can damage pancreatic β-cells, causing disturbances in the regulation of insulin secretion. [...] Read more.

Regular consumption of dietary sugars can cause significant damage to the β-cells. Almost a century after the discovery of insulin, it has been suggested that the frequent consumption of certain carbohydrates can damage pancreatic β-cells, causing disturbances in the regulation of insulin secretion. Most noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension have a common origin, metabolic dysfunction, which is partly due to β-cell malfunction. In this article, we believed that sugars can lead to an imbalance in cellular metabolism, causing insulin exocytosis to dangerously increase or decrease blood insulin concentrations. In this study, we describe the major mechanism of insulin secretion and discuss the effects of sugar on pancreatic β-cells. Although many environmental factors strongly influence β-cells, occidental diet, including excess sugar, has been found to be the predominant factor that kills or disrupts the functioning of the unique cells that produce, store, and secrete insulin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Modulation of Dietary Sugars as a Strategy to Improve Insulin Resistance and Energy Balance in Diabetes)

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18 pages, 359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Cognitive Training Study in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

by Samuel Cooke, Kyla Pennington, Chris Bridle and Ffion Curtis

Diabetology 2023, 4(2), 160-177; https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology4020016 - 19 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1599

Abstract

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction. Growing evidence supports the use of cognitive training to target cognitive dysfunction in T2DM, but only limited evidence exists surrounding its feasibility and acceptability. The primary aim of [...] Read more.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction. Growing evidence supports the use of cognitive training to target cognitive dysfunction in T2DM, but only limited evidence exists surrounding its feasibility and acceptability. The primary aim of this research is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a cognitive training study in T2DM. Adults diagnosed with T2DM were randomly allocated to either a 6-week cognitive training group or a usual care control group. Feasibility outcomes (recruitment, adherence, retention, motivation, data collection, and intervention design) were evaluated using a traffic light progression criterion. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore study acceptability. Cognition was measured at baseline and post-intervention. Forty-one participants completed the study (age 66 ± 9.8 years; HbA1c 54.0 ± 13.3 mmol.mol). Feasibility was shown in the adherence, retention, and motivation of participants, whilst minor amendments were proposed to the study design, recruitment, and data collection. Participants described cognitive training as highly enjoyable, with study components broadly reported as acceptable. Data signalled improvements in cognition, with large improvements observed in executive function. This study provides evidence for the potential feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy for cognitive training in T2DM. Recommendations for future studies are provided. Full article

26 pages, 2522 KiB

Open AccessReview

Progress in Understanding Metabolic Syndrome and Knowledge of Its Complex Pathophysiology

by Birendra Kumar Jha, Mingma Lhamu Sherpa, Mohammad Imran, Yousuf Mohammed, Laxmi Akhileshwar Jha, Keshav Raj Paudel and Saurav Kumar Jha

Diabetology 2023, 4(2), 134-159; https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology4020015 - 12 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4295

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome (MetS), first introduced by Haller in 1975, was sometimes also known as insulin resistance syndrome, syndrome X, and plurimetabolic syndrome. In 1989, it was rechristened by Kaplan as the “Deadly Quartet” based on a consolidation of central obesity, impaired glucose [...] Read more.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS), first introduced by Haller in 1975, was sometimes also known as insulin resistance syndrome, syndrome X, and plurimetabolic syndrome. In 1989, it was rechristened by Kaplan as the “Deadly Quartet” based on a consolidation of central obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and systemic hypertension. MetS is positively associated with a pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic state, attributed to increased pro-thrombotic and inflammatory marker activity. Moreover, MetS is frequently associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, impaired glucose tolerance, hyperuricemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic kidney disease. Despite concerted endeavors worldwide, the complexity of the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome still needs to be clearly understood. Currently, therapeutic possibilities are confined to individual therapy for hyperglycemia, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, regular physical exercise, and a restricted diet. In this review, progress regarding the understanding and pathophysiology of MetS; recent emerging technologies, such as metabolomics and proteomics; the relation of MetS with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases; and the association of MetS with COVID-19 are discussed. Full article

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6 pages, 1347 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Increasing the Representation of Women in Diabetes Research

by Kirsten Riches-Suman

Diabetology 2023, 4(2), 128-133; https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology4020014 - 30 Mar 2023

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Abstract

Approximately half of all people with diabetes are women; however, the inclusion of women at all levels of research on diabetes is lacking. Clinical and pre-clinical trials do not have gender equity despite the differing progression of diabetes complications in women, and fewer [...] Read more.

Approximately half of all people with diabetes are women; however, the inclusion of women at all levels of research on diabetes is lacking. Clinical and pre-clinical trials do not have gender equity despite the differing progression of diabetes complications in women, and fewer women sit in academic or clinical leadership positions in diabetes than men. Whilst this scenario is not unique to diabetes, the purpose of this opinion article is to evaluate women’s position in diabetology and focus on why the drive for gender equity at all levels is important. This article serves as a preface to the upcoming Diabetology Women’s Special Issue Series, which aims to highlight and celebrate the achievements of women and people who identify as women in the hope of raising female voices in diabetes research and practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women’s Special Issue Series: Diabetology)

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Diabetology, Volume 4, Issue 2 (June 2023) – 7 articles

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