"Residential greenness, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and microbiome diversity during pregnancy"

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with reduced gut microbiota richness that was also reported to differ significantly between those living in rural compared to urban environments. Therefore, our aim was to examine the associations between greenness and maternal blood glucose levels and GDM, with microbiome diversity as a possible mediator in these associations.

METHODS

Pregnant women were recruited between January 2016 and October 2017. Residential greenness was evaluated as mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 100, 300 and 500 m buffers surrounding each maternal residential address. Maternal glucose levels were measured at 24-28 weeks of gestation and GDM was diagnosed. We estimated the associations between greenness and glucose levels and GDM using generalized linear models, adjusting for socioeconomic status and season at last menstrual period. Using causal mediation analysis, the mediation effects of four different indices of microbiome alpha diversity in first trimester stool and saliva samples were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 269 pregnant women, 27 participants (10.04%) were diagnosed with GDM. Although not statistically significant, adjusted exposure to medium tertile levels of mean NDVI at 300 m buffer had lower odds of GDM (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.16, 1.26, p = 0.13) and decreased change in mean glucose levels (β = -6.28, 95% CI: 14.91, 2.24, p = 0.15) compared to the lowest tertile levels of mean NDVI. Mixed results were observed at 100 and 500 m buffers, and when comparing highest tertile levels to lowest. No mediation effect of first trimester microbiome on the association between residential greenness and GDM was observed, and a small, possibly incidental, mediation effect on glucose levels was observed.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests possible associations between residential greenness and glucose intolerance and risk of GDM, though without sufficient evidence. Microbiome in the first trimester, while involved in GDM etiology, is not a mediator in these associations. Future studies in larger populations should further examine these associations.

Evaluation of the Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Laurus Nobilis Leaves on Blood Biochemical Parameters and Histological Changes in the Liver and Kidney among Female Wistar Rats Treated with Depakene (Sodium Valproate)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Laurus Nobilis (Bay leaves) alcoholic extract on glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and urea levels; moreover, it was attempted to examine the histological changes induced in the liver and kidney among female albino rats treated with Depakene (Sodium Valproate). The L. nobilis leaves were dried in the shade, and they were then ground in mechanical processing. The resulting substance (250 gm) was processed in 70% ethanol for 24 h using a Soxhlet extractor at 45°C. Before being measured, the extract was concentrated in vacuo and stored in a vacuum desiccator until the elimination of all the solvents. In total, 20 female adult Wistar rats (230-250 g) were bred in the Animal House Lab at the University of Kufa, Faculty of Education for Girls, Kufa, Iraq. These animals were randomly divided into four groups (n=5), housed in a typical laboratory setting, and given a standard diet and water. Each animal received the treatments intraperitoneally for 30 days. The experimental groups were designed as follows: group 1 (the control) was given only physiological saline solution; group 2 received alcoholic extract of L. nobilis leaves at a dose of 150 mg/kg BW; group 3 received Depakene (Sodium Valproate) at a dose of 500 mg/kg BW; and group 4 received alcoholic extract+Depakene at a dose of 150 mg/kg BW and 500 mg/kg BW. The animals were euthanized following anaesthesia 24 h after the last day of the experiment. Heart blood samples were gathered in gel tubes, the serum was then centrifuged for 15 min at 3000 rpm to measure the biochemical parameter levels, which included glucose, HbA1C, ALT, AST, creatinine, and urea. The liver and kidney organs were removed and placed in a 10% formaldehyde solution instantly. Following fixation, they were processed as usual before being embedded in paraffin for histological analysis. Morphological changes were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining techniques. The recorded data showed a major drop (P<0.05) in blood glucose and HbA1c levels in group 2 which was given ethanol extract, compared to the other groups. Interestingly, the level of blood glucose and HbA1c levels reduced significantly in group 4, which was given L. nobilis+Depakene, compared to the control and the animals treated with only Depakene. Moreover, the results showed a major rise (P<0.05) in the liver enzyme among the animals treated with Depakene, compared to other groups. On the other hand, the recorded data showed a substantial drop (P<0.05) in creatinine levels in the animals treated with L. nobilis leaves extract (group 2) and group 4, compared to group 3 and the control group, respectively. However, no changes were recorded in the case of urea levels among the groups. Finally, the findings of this study showed that the ethanol extract of L. nobilis leaves was effectively reduced the adverse effects of Depakene. On the other hand, it had a significant effect on the reduction of blood glucose.

Prospective dietary radical scavengers: Boon in Pharmacokinetics, overcome insulin obstruction via signaling cascade for absorption during impediments in metabolic disorder like Diabetic Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder which is characterized based on the blood glucose level. This can be due to the lack of efficiency of utilizing insulin or lack of production of insulin. There are numerous therapies and medications which are available for the treatment of this disease which can reduce the risk of diabetes. But there is no permanent cure found. Nutritional antioxidants show a foremost role in sustaining the homeostasis of the oxidative equilibrium. They have imparted their electron donor efficacy in preventing aging and in cancer. Vitamin C, E, β-carotene, carotenoids, polyphenols and selenium have been appraised as antioxidant constituents in the human diet nourishment. This paper emphasizes on the role of antioxidants which help in reducing or maintaining the level of glucose in the body. Antioxidants are substances that reduces the damages to the cells caused by free radicals. The available treatment and medications and how the supplementation of antioxidants is different from them is also discussed. Different type of antioxidants and their treatment in curing the disease is further focused in this paper.

Graphical abstract

Glucose levels during gestational diabetes pregnancy and the risk of developing postpartum diabetes or prediabetes

BACKGROUND

Blood glucose levels during pregnancy may reflect the severity of insulin secretory defects and/or insulin resistance during gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnancy. We hypothesized that suboptimal glycemic control in women with GDM could increase the risk of postpartum type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or prediabetes. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of plasma glucose levels throughout GDM pregnancy on the risk of postpartum T2DM or prediabetes.

METHODS

The medical records of 706 women with GDM who underwent a postpartum 75-g, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test at our institution between January 2011 and December 2018 were reviewed. These women were classified into 2 groups according to glycemic control during pregnancy: ≤ 1 occasion of either fasting glucose ≥ 95 mg/dL or 2-hour postprandial glucose ≥ 120 mg/dL was defined as optimal glycemic control or else was classified as suboptimal glycemic control. Rates of postpartum T2DM and prediabetes were compared between women with optimal (n = 505) and suboptimal (n = 201) glycemic control.

RESULTS

The rates of postpartum T2DM and prediabetes were significantly higher in the suboptimal glycemic control group than in the optimal glycemic control group: 22.4% vs. 3.0%, P < 0.001 for T2DM and 45.3% vs. 23.5%, P < 0.001 for prediabetes. In a multivariate analysis, suboptimal glucose control during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for developing either postpartum T2DM or prediabetes. The adjusted odds ratios were 8.4 (95% confidence interval, 3.5-20.3) for T2DM and 3.9 (95% confidence interval, 2.5-6.1) for prediabetes.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that blood glucose levels during GDM pregnancy have an impact on the risk of postpartum T2DM and prediabetes.

Low-level lead exposure promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis and contributes to the elevation of fasting glucose level

BACKGROUND

Lead (Pb) is considered an endocrine-disrupting chemical. However, few studies have investigated the effects of low-level Pb exposure on plasma glucose levels. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether low-level Pb exposure causes elevated plasma glucose levels and the possible mechanisms involved.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 5747 participants from 16 sites in China. The participants underwent measurements of anthropometric factors, blood lead level (BLL) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Wistar rats were exposed to 0.05% Pb through drinking water or fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 28 weeks. The relevant parameters of glucose homeostasis, hepatic glucose production (HGP) and gene expression levels of hepatic gluconeogenesis enzymes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP1), were measured. In addition, gene expression levels of gluconeogenesis enzymes were also measured in HepG2 cells administered with different concentrations of lead acetate for 24 h.

RESULTS

In humans, after adjusting for confounders, the odds of having High_FPG (≥5.6 mmol/L) were significantly increased by 25% in the participants in the fourth BLL quartile (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.05, 1.49). In the animals exposed to 0.05% Pb, FPG, HGP and hepatic gene expression levels of PEPCK, G6PC and FBP1 were increased. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of PEPCK, G6PC and FBP1 in HepG2 cells were also increased in response to Pb exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the possibility that low-level Pb exposure may increase HGP by affecting key enzymes of hepatic gluconeogenesis, eventually resulting in impaired FPG and hyperglycemia.

Hypoglycemia in mitochondrial disorders

Diabetes and hyperglycemia are common features of mitochondrial disorders. This study investigates the frequency of non-iatrogenic hypoglycemia in individuals with these disorders. Of 116 patients, 22 (18.97%) experienced at least two episodes of hypoglycemia. This rate is significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the 6% seen in the non-diabetic, general population. Neonatal readings were 30 mg/dL lower than non-neonatal readings. As hypoglycemia appears to occur frequently in individuals with mitochondrial disorders, with lower blood glucose levels in the neonatal period, early and continued monitoring of blood glucose is necessary. Also, mitochondrial disorders should be considered in cases of recurrent hypoglycemia.

Investigation of interaction between boronic acids and sugar: effect of structural change of sugars on binding affinity using steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking

Binding interactions of boronic acid derivatives viz. 2-Methylphenylboronic acid (B1) and 3-Methoxyphenylboronic acid (B2) with mono saccharides (arabinose, fructose and galactose) and disaccharides (sucrose, lactose and maltose) in aqueous condition at pH 7.4 by means of fluorescence spectroscopy is reported in the present investigation. Sugar sensing as well as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) plays a significant role in diabetes regulation. Sugar sensors mediated through enzymes have their own drawbacks, which led to encouragement to search for designing new sensors through alternate approaches. Among many, fluorescence-based sensors are drawing more attention. Boronic acid-based fluorescence sensors have the capacity to bind reversibly with diols, which makes their demand high in applications. Addition of sugar reduces fluorescence intensities. Change in intensities is associated to cleavage of intermolecular hydrogen bonding which leads in reduced stability of boronate ester. Lineweaver-Burk and Benesi-Hildebrand equation is used for analysing data. Mono sugars are estimated to have higher binding constants. Mutarotation leads to structural changes in saccharides which play a key role in binding interactions. Sugars in furanose form are found to be highly favoured for binding. Molecular docking of B1 and B2 with proteins with PDB ID: 2IPL and 2IPM being periplasmic was done with the help of Schrodinger Maestro 11.2 version. GLIDE scores terms are used for expressing binding affinity.

Physiological and biochemical responses of Mediterranean green crab, Carcinus aestuarii, to different environmental stressors: Evaluation of hemocyte toxicity and its possible effects on immune response

Effects of natural stressors such as copper (Cu²⁺), temperature, hypoxia, chloroform and adrenaline on physiological and biochemical responses were investigated in the Mediterranean green crab Carcinus aestuarii from tidal shallow waters of Narta Lagoon, Albania. For this purpose, hemolymph glucose levels, total and differential hemocyte count, in normal and eye-stalked individuals, exposed to above mentioned stressors like, were assessed. In addition, lysosomal membrane stability was evaluated as biomarker of hemocyte toxicity, with possible implications on crab immune response. Hemolymph glucose levels were significantly increased in all treatment groups with 1.25-to 3.5-fold above baseline levels of 37.8 ± 2.7 mgdL^-1. Response times were being manifested within 30-120 min following exposure and recovery happened within 2 h of restoration of pretreatment conditions. Total hemocyte count (THC) and differential hemocyte count (DCH) showed a significant decrease for all stressors, except for copper, were an increase of semi-granular hemocyte fraction were recorded. Meanwhile, significant reduction of neutral red retention time (NRRT), in both eyestalk-ablated and exposed animals, were recorded, indicated the loss of hemocyte lysosomal membrane integrity. The responsiveness of hemolymph blood levels to all stressors, the decrease in total hemocyte count, as well as the loss of lysosomal membrane integrity demonstrated that exposure to environmentally realistic stressors placed a heavy metabolic load on C. aestuarii, modulating their immune competence and overall physiological wellness. Overall, results suggest that monitoring cellular and biochemical parameters like hemolymph glucose titres, TCH, DHC and NRRT, may be useful and sensitive means of evaluating the crustacean's ability to cope with the wide variety of environmental stressors through modulation of the immune parameters.

Effect of inactivated Bifidobacterium longum intake on obese diabetes model mice (TSOD)

Obesity and diabetes have been increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Studies have shown the futility of chemical drugs in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Bifidobacterium longum (BL), a common member of the gut microbiota throughout the human lifespan, has been widely reported to play a role in host health and disease. Here, we evaluated the effects of inactivated cells of BL (IBL) on obesity and blood glucose levels in TSOD mice by administering IBL orally for 5 weeks. The treated mice showed a significant decrease of body weight gain, adipose tissue mass and blood glucose levels, as well as a significant reduction in blood glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test. The treatment also resulted in reduced levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and NEFA. Moreover, serum and urine analysis showed low creatinine levels in IBL-treated mice. These data demonstrate that IBL may have the potential to prevent obesity and diabetes.

Attenuation Effects of Bulk and Nanosized ZnO on Glucose, Lipid Level, and Inflammation Profile in Obese Mice

ZnO and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used in food packaging, food preservation, cosmetic preparation, and animal feed. ZnO is alleged showing multiple bioactivities including antimicrobial and anti-inflammation. It is hypothesized in this study that bulk ZnO and ZnO NPs could attenuate symptoms associated with high-fat-diet-induced obesity. Bulk ZnO and ZnO NPs with diameters of 30 and 90 nm were administered to high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Body weight, liver and fat tissue indices of ZnO-treated mice were decreased compared with those of obese mice (MOD). Blood glucose levels in oral glucose tolerant test and insulin tolerant test of ZnO-treated mice were lower than those of MOD. Serum lipid profile of ZnO-treated mice was ameliorated with lower total cholesterol, total triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with that of MOD. In addition, the levels of serum IL-1β and LPS-binding protein were also decreased by ZnO treatment. Both bulk and nanosized ZnO could attenuate HFD-induced phenotypes related with obesity, but ZnO NP is more efficient to lower the fat index and bulk ZnO is better to restore the disturbed serum lipid profile.

Resources to Guide Exercise Specialists Managing Adults with Diabetes

Exercise is an important element to optimize health and well-being, though navigating exercise safely can be challenging for exercise specialists working with people with diabetes. Measuring glucose levels before an exercise session assists in the determination of whether exercise is safe for a person with diabetes. A number of organizations have recently developed guidelines to provide exercise and diabetes recommendations based on glucose levels and other relevant factors. However, there are limited easy-to-use resources to assist exercise specialists to determine whether exercise should be started and continued by people with diabetes. The type of diabetes, pre-exercise glucose level, medications and their timing, recent food intake and general sense of wellness all warrant consideration when determining the approach to each exercise session. An expert group was convened to review the published literature and develop resources to guide exercise specialists in assessing the safety of an adult with diabetes starting exercise, and indications to cease exercise, based upon glucose levels and other factors. Contraindications to people with diabetes starting or continuing exercise are (1) glucose < 4.0 mmol/L; (2) glucose > 15.0 mmol/L with symptoms of weakness/tiredness, or with ketosis; (3) hypoglycaemic event within the previous 24 h that required assistance from another person to treat and (4) feeling unwell. To optimize diabetes and exercise safety, recommendations (stratified by pre-exercise glucose level) are provided regarding carbohydrate ingestion, glucose monitoring and medication adjustment.

The relation of Dietary diversity score and food insecurity to metabolic syndrome features and glucose level among pre-diabetes subjects

INTRODUCTION

Prediabetes is considered as an increased risk factor for cardiovascular disease and overt diabetes and is the precursor stage of diabetes. Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) is recognized as an essential factor of a high-quality diet. However, diets with more varieties of food items might increase calorie intake and body weight. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the association of DDS with metabolic syndrome features in adults with prediabetes.

METHODS

Three hundred subjects were randomly selected from participants who were undergone diabetes test screening program. Dietary intake was assessed by using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. DDS was calculated by scoring food intake as nine food groups. The 18-items USDA household food securities and International Physical Activity (IPAQ) were also measured. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III.

RESULTS

DDS mean for cases and controls were 4.43 and 4.9, respectively (p<0.005). The prevalence of food insecurity was 67/3% in cases and 55/4% in controls group. The decrease in metabolic syndrome probability was compatible with quartiles of DDS (the quartiles odds ratios: 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.19, P=0.05). A higher DDS was associated with lower level of fasting blood glucose, HDL-cholesterol, TG and Waist circumference.

CONCLUSION

Lower DDS was associated with high probability of metabolic syndrome and with some features of it, like high fasting blood glucose. Therefore, it seems that increase in dietary diversity scores could prevent the pre diabetes development to overt diabetes.

Influence of Time of Yoga Practice and Gender Differences on Blood Glucose Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Normal Healthy Adults

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide. Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of yoga in improving glycaemic control, whereas no studies are available showing the impact of time of practice on glucose levels. The current study explores the effect of time of yoga practice on glucose levels in community-dwelling adults with and without T2DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 189 subjects with T2DM and 121 subjects without T2DM underwent a 10-day yoga program which includes practical and theory lecture sessions for 60min every day, either in the morning or evening. Baseline and post-intervention assessments of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured on day-1 and day-10, respectively. Data analysis were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16.

RESULTS

Results of the study showed that in individuals with T2DM, a significantly higher reduction in FPG was observed while practicing yoga in the evening sessions than in the morning sessions. Likewise, a significant reduction in FPG was observed only in women who practiced yoga in the evening than in the morning, in non-diabetic healthy individuals, while the reduction was not statistically significant in men.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study suggest that reduction in FPG level was better while practicing yoga in evening than morning. Similarly, women had a better reduction in blood glucose level than men.

The Eosinophil Count Tends to Be Negatively Associated with Levels of Serum Glucose in Patients with Adrenal Cushing Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Cushing syndrome is characterized by glucose intolerance, cardiovascular disease, and an enhanced systemic inflammatory response caused by chronic exposure to excess cortisol. Eosinopenia is frequently observed in patients with adrenal Cushing syndrome, but the relationship between the eosinophil count in peripheral blood and indicators of glucose level in patients with adrenal Cushing syndrome has not been determined.

METHODS

A retrospective study was undertaken of the clinical and laboratory findings of 40 patients diagnosed with adrenal Cushing syndrome at Chungnam National University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2016. Clinical characteristics, complete blood cell counts with white blood cell differential, measures of their endocrine function, description of imaging studies, and pathologic findings were obtained from their medical records.

RESULTS

Eosinophil composition and count were restored by surgical treatment of all of the patients with adrenal Cushing disease. The eosinophil count was inversely correlated with serum and urine cortisol, glycated hemoglobin, and inflammatory markers in the patients with adrenal Cushing syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Smaller eosinophil populations in patients with adrenal Cushing syndrome tend to be correlated with higher levels of blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin. This study suggests that peripheral blood eosinophil composition or count may be associated with serum glucose levels in patients with adrenal Cushing syndrome.

Frequency of high blood glucose prior to FDG PET

PURPOSE

To assess the frequency of blood glucose level higher than 150 mg/dL in non-diabetic patients presenting for FDG PET.

METHODS

We reviewed the electronic medical record (EMR) of all lymphoma patients who had at least one FDG PET/CT from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. We extracted the blood glucose level at the time of the FDG PET during this 1-year time period and any previous PET scans these patients had. Patients' diabetic status was determined from EMR.

RESULTS

One hundred seventeen patients with 574 scans were included: 91 non-diabetic with 429 scans and 26 diabetic patients with 145 scans. Blood glucose level ranged from 44 to 259 mg/dL: 44 to 144 mg/dL in non-diabetic patients and 73 to 259 mg/dL in diabetic patients. There was no non-diabetic patient with a glucose level higher than 150 mg/dL at any occasion. Only one scan was performed with 144 mg/dL of glucose. All other scans were performed with a glucose level less than 140 mg/dL. There were nine diabetic patients with glucose level less than 150 mg/dL prior to all of their scans and 17 diabetic patients with a glucose level higher than 150 mg/dL prior to PET at least on one occasion.

CONCLUSIONS

In all non-diabetic patients, blood glucose level was below the lower limit of the recommended range prior to all their FDG PET scans while this was not the case in diabetic patients. We conclude that measuring blood glucose level prior to FDG PET may be limited to diabetic patients.

Study of Human Biochemical Parameters During and After Ramadan

Ramadan fasting is obligatory for Muslims each year. They abstain from drinking, eating and intimate relationship between dawn and dusk during this month. Dietary restriction during Ramadan has various biochemical and physiological effects. It is shown to decrease the body weight, glucose and lipid profile. This study aims to analyze the changes in body weight, glucose and lipid profile during Ramadan in physiotherapy students in Pakistan. The study was conducted during June-July 2013 (Hijri year 1434). There were 80 students (50 males and 30 females) recruited in the experiment. They all were healthy adults between the age group of 18-24 (mean age 20.5) years. All subjects underwent a general physical examination and interview, and non-healthy subjects were excluded. On statistical analysis, quantitative data were expressed in terms of mean ± SD and a p value of ≤0.05 was believed statically significant. Paired t test was used to compare the variables. There was a little reduction in body weight (62.7 ± 8.8 vs. 62.3 ± 9.0; p value = 0.009) but a significant decline in glucose level (72.6 ± 12.5 vs. 57.9 ± 10.7; p value = 0.000), low-density lipoprotein level (2.9 ± 0.3 vs. 2.5 ± 0.3; p value = 0.000), total cholesterol (4.6 ± 0.4 vs. 4.2 ± 0.5; p value = 0.000) and triglycerides (1.4 ± 0.5 vs. 1.2 ± 0.5; p value = 0.000) was observed. Moreover, there was some reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (1.2 ± 0.3 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3; p value = 0.045). This study shows that Ramadan fasting, a religious obligation for purification of body and soul, resulted in reduced body weight and a positive effect on glucose level and lipid profile.

Reduction of post-prandial hyperglycemia by mulberry tea in type-2 diabetes patients

AIM

The dietary contents have a very important role in the management of metabolic syndrome along with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Indian diet contains a large amount of carbohydrates that set off unpredictable blood sugar fluctuations and leads to increased risk of diabetic complications. The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of mulberry tea in the reduction of abnormally high postprandial blood glucose (PPG) levels in T2DM patients.

METHODS

The study design was follow-up T2DM, 20 diabetic patients were given plain tea (control) and 28 diabetic patients were given mulberry tea (test subject) to measure the effect of mulberry tea on fasting blood glucose and PPG levels. Fasting blood glucose samples were collected after a standard breakfast. The PPG levels were recorded after the consumption of 70 ml tea along with 1 teaspoon of sugar after 90 min in all 48 patients.

RESULTS

Fasting blood glucose levels in control and test group samples were found to be 178.55 ± 35.61 and 153.50 ± 48.10, respectively. After the consumption of plain tea and mulberry tea, the PPG values were recorded as 287.20 ± 56.37 and 210.21 ± 58.73, respectively. A highly significant (p < 0.001) change in the PPG level was observed in response to mulberry tea in all the test patients compared with control. Moreover, the effect size was also found to be very large (1.31).

CONCLUSION

Mulberry tea suppresses postprandial rise of blood glucose levels after 90 min of its consumption.

A Study on the Correlation between Cord Blood Glucose Level and the Apgar Score

INTRODUCTION

The study of the biochemical parameters of cord blood acts as a mirror, which usually reflects the neonatal status. The widely used system for the evaluation of a neonate is the Apgar score. There is no comprehensive published data which has established the association between the cord blood glucose level and the Apgar score. Similarly, there is also no well accepted reference range of the cord blood glucose level.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the present study was to ascertain any adverse effects of an abnormal cord blood glucose level on the neonatal status and to find out a standard reference level of glucose in cord blood.

METHODS

The cord blood glucose estimation was done by using the glucose oxidase peroxidase method and the statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS, version 16 software.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, the cord blood glucose level was found to have no correlation with the Apgar scores which were calculated at both one minute and five minutes after birth. It was also found that for the foetus to be free from any obvious complication, the cord blood glucose level had to be around 87 mg/dl. The fluctuations in the maternal glucose levels are weakly associated with the glucose level in the cord blood.