Browsing by Author "Cutovic, Milisav (23495402400)"

Objectives: A tribomechanically activated clinoptilolite (natural aluminosilicate mineral) has been used to increase growth in meat-producing animals, as an adjuvant in cancer therapy, and a heavy metal remover in humans. Because of its unique cation exchanging and chelating properties, we hypothesized that clinoptilolite may be beneficial for the treatment of dyslipidemia in the manner similar to bile acid sequestrants. Thus, specific aims of this pilot study were to orally administer clinoptilolite in different doses and granule size combinations to determine magnitude and time profile of changes in blood lipids. Design: A phase I/IIa prospective, open-label, uncontrolled, dose/granule size-ranging study (treatment phase 8 weeks, follow-up 6 weeks). Blood lipids were examined every 2 weeks. Settings: Outpatient clinic of a university-affiliated hospital. Subjects: Forty-one subjects (all white, mean age 57.6 ± 6.8 years, 17 women) with blood lipids above the normative limits divided into three groups. Intervention: A tribomechanically activated clinoptilolite was administered in three dose/grind combinations: 6 g/day of fine grind (6gF), 6 g/day of coarse grind (6gC), and 9 g/day of coarse grind (9gC). Outcome measures: Blood concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and triglycerides (TG). Results: For the 3 groups combined, all lipid fractions significantly improved after 8 weeks of treatment (20-25%, p < 0.001), which reversed to baseline after 6 weeks of clinoptilolite withdrawal. Early (week 2) and the most pronounced decrease in TC and LDLc was observed in the 6gF group (19% and 23% in week 8, respectively), with no difference in HDLc and TG between the three dose/grind groups. No side effects were reported. Conclusions: These pilot results suggest that oral administration of clinoptilolite may improve lipid profile in individuals with dyslipidemia, which warrants further investigations. © Copyright 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Introduction: Obesity is a complex condition with multifactorial origin. Assuming that such a state is genetically controlled, the aim of our study was to evaluate the degree of genetic homozygosity among overweight and obese individuals by the homozygously recessive characteristics (HRC) test. Material and methods: We analysed the presence, distribution and individual combination of 15 selected genetically controlled recessive phenotype traits in a sample of 140 individuals with increased body mass index (overweight individuals n = 100 and obese individuals n = 40) and a control group of normal weight individuals (n = 300). Results: Obese individuals have significantly higher mean values for genetic homozygosity than those with normal weight (normal weight:3.61 ±1.48; obese:4.13 ±1.47, p <0.05) and difference in the presence of certain individual combinations of evaluated phenotype traits (Σχ2 = 76.9; p <0.01). There was no difference in average homozygosity of such genetic markers between groups of normal weight and overweight individuals (normal weight:3.61 ±1.48; overweight:3.93 ±1.51, p >0.05) and between groups of overweight and obese individuals (overweight:3.93 ±1.51; obese:4.13 ±1.47, p >0.05). There is no difference in the presence of certain individual combinations of evaluated phenotype traits between overweight and obese individuals (Σχ 2 = 20.6; p >0.05). Conclusions: There is a populational genetic difference in the degree of genetic homozygosity and variability between the group of normal weight and group of obese individuals, indicating a possible genetic component. Overweight and obese individuals have a genetic predisposition, but different expression of genetic loads could be one of the possible explanations for different susceptibility to increase of fat mass and body mass index. Copyright © 2012 Termedia & Banach.

Purpose: To evaluate short- and long-term effects of structured exercise program in euthyroid patients with Graves' disease. Methods: The study employed a retrospective case-control design. The exercise group (n62) underwent 3 weeks of structured exercise program consisting of daily walking, strengthening, and stretching exercises while the control group (n62) participated in leisure activities. Thyroid profile, aerobic capacity, and perceived fatigue were evaluated on in-patient admission and discharge. Time to discontinuation of anti-thyroid medication after discharge and time to relapse of symptoms were determined. Results: The exercise group increased estimated peak oxygen consumption (significant group-by-time ANOVA interaction, P < 0.001), decreased serum thyroxin (P0.038), increased serum thyrotropin (P0.071), and reported less fatigue (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.001) from admission to discharge. The anti-thyroid medication was withdrawn within 6 months of discharge in significantly greater proportion of subjects in the exercise than control group (84% vs. 18%). Conversely, the rate of relapse within 12 months of medication withdrawal was smaller in the exercise (29%) than control group (72%). Conclusions: The results suggest that structured exercise program may normalize thyroid profile, improve aerobic capacity, and reduce fatigue on the short-term basis as well as reduce the need for anti-thyroid medication on the long-term basis. Implications for Rehabilitation This retrospective study suggests that the structured exercise program is safe and beneficial for euthyroid Graves' disease patients. The main benefits include short-term improvements in aerobic capacity and fatigue and long-term reduction in anti-thyroid medication. The prospective randomized control study is warranted to define optimal exercise protocol and validate these preliminary results. © 2012 Informa UK, Ltd.