November 2004 [Return to the Endocrine Edge Entrance] |
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Coming this month in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCE&M): 
Abdominal Fat Indicates Severity of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese, Postmenopausal Women
New research shows that the presence of intra-abdominal fat can indicate the existence and severity of metabolic syndrome in obese, postemnopausal women. The findings, which were presented at the American Medical Association's 23rd Annual Science Writer's Conference will be published in the November issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, could help doctors identify health risks in aging women. This research confirms that specific characteristics, particularly intra-abdominal fat, are important in determining the presence of metabolic syndrome in women and also shows, for the first time, that intra-abdominal fat can indicate the severity of metabolic syndrome in women. This information should help doctors evaluate postmenopausal women's risk for developing the metabolic syndrome and design a treatment plan to lessen this risk. To view this study or The Endocrine Society's press release on this research, please visit http://www.endo-society.org/new/early_publications.cfm
A First-Ever Look: Groundbreaking New PCOS Research Offers Hope For Reducing Cardiovascular Risks
In the study, "Endothelial Dysfunction in Young Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Relationship with Insulin Resistance and Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation," investigators examine young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects five to 10 percent of reproductive age women and is associated with infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, ovarian cysts, increased risk for diabetes and obesity, excessive hair growth, and elevated cardiovascular morbidity and risk factors. Low-grade chronic inflammation, reflected in elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and endothelial, or blood vessel, dysfunction have recently been linked to the development of atherosclerosis, plaque-buildup that causes arteries to harden. This study's investigators compared hs-CRP levels and blood vessel function in women with PCOS to those in a control group that was matched for age and body mass index. This is the first study ever to demonstrate increased endothelial levels and dysfunction, as well as their association with insulin resistance in young and normal weight women with PCOS. By addressing the insulin resistance experienced by the young women with PCOS, researchers propose that cardiovascular dysfunction may be prevented. Coming this month in the Endocrinology:
Carbohydrate or Fat - Which Nutrient Will Repress Hunger More Effectively?
Ghrelin is a gut-brain peptide that signals hunger and increases food intake and body weight. In the study titled, "The Inhibition of Gastric Ghrelin Production by Food Intake in Rats is Dependent on the Type of Macronutrient," researchers examined the repressive effects of two types of nutrients - carbohydrates and fats - on the hunger peptide ghrelin in a population of fasted rats. The feeling of being satiated as reflected by gastric ghrelin production was recovered more quickly in the population of rats who were fed the diet rich in carbohydrates, while the population given the fat-based diet found itself hungry quicker, with an increase in ghrelin expression. The investigators' findings support the idea that certain foods can actually make you hungry quicker. See these studies and more in the November issue of JCE&M and Endocrinology from The Endocrine Society. To interview an author or to obtain a copy of the studies discussed above, contact The Endocrine Society at media@endo-society.org
Profiles:The Patient/Clinician Connection
Twenty-five years ago, Gloria Fleming had a feeling that something was wrong with her health. She was tired all the time, even after a good night's sleep, and was constantly thirsty. An active woman with young children, Gloria immediately took her complaints to her primary care physician. What she heard was something that more than five members of her family had heard, " You have diabetes." Familiar with the disease, she took the diagnosis in stride. After all, she had seen so many family members, including her mother, living with the disease, that surely being diagnosed with diabetes was more of a nuisance than a wake-up call. Consequently, she continued with her lifestyle of eating greasy and fatty foods and not exercising regularly. For Gloria, exercise and a healthy diet were still not a large part of her life. Then, about three years ago, Gloria was watching television and saw an ad looking for volunteers to participate in a diabetes clinical trial. Gloria consulted with her primary care physician and together they agreed that participating could bring some tangible and positive results to Gloria's treatment. Gloria later found out that she was a participant in Look AHEAD, a National Institutes of Health-funded, multi-center trial examining the effect of lifestyle interventions on weight management and overall health risk in those with diabetes. Gloria's participation in Look AHEAD has changed her lfie. Now 25 pounds lighter and no longer taking two of her three diabetes medication s, Gloria can eat less and still be satisfied. To read more of Gloria's story and to see the effect of Dr. Bray's Look AHEAD Trial has had on her life, go to
http://www.obesityinamerica.org/profiles.html
To schedule an interview with Gloria, Dr. Bray or any of The Endocrine Society's experts on obesity or other endocrine conditions, contact Marisa Lavine at 301-941-0255 or via email at media@endo-society.org
Expert Resources
Dr. George Bray, M.D.
To schedule an interview with Dr. Bray please contact Marisa Lavine at 301-941-0255 or via email at media@endo-society.org
Other Happening/Events
ENDO 2004 Webcasts
To request a username and password, which will provide access to the Webcasts, please contact Marisa Lavine at media@endo-society.org Endocrinology On the Air
NAASO Annual Meeting
If you have any questions about this issue of The Endocrine Edge or The Endocrine Society, please contact Marisa Lavine at 301-941-0255 or via e-mail at mlavine@endo-society.org or media@endo-society.org To learn more about the role endocrinologists play in researching and treating obesity, visit www.obesityinamerica.org |
