Luis Angel Lima-Mendoza

Bio: Luis Angel Lima-Mendoza is an academic researcher from CINVESTAV. The author has contributed to research in topics: Adipose tissue & Hypoestrogenism. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 20 citations.

Effects of honey against the accumulation of adipose tissue and the increased blood pressure on carbohydrate-induced obesity in rat

Abstract: This study was designed to assess the effect of honey supplementation and sugar-based hypercaloric regimen on weight gain and blood pressure (BP) in Wistar rats. Animals were fed for 8 weeks with standard diet (S-free) or a hypercaloric diet (standard chow and 30% sugar in drinking water), (SF), or standard chow supplemented with fat and honey and 10% sugar in drinking water (HF). Overall weight gain and body fat levels were significantly higher in SF and HF than in S-free. Fat cells were significantly larger in SF compared with HF. Compared with SF and S-free, HF had higher glucose, but triglycerides, and LDLc levels were not different. BP was significantly higher in SF but not in HF compared to S-free. These observations indicate that honey may afford a protection against increase in BP and in fat cell size resulting from a hypercaloric diet. © 2011 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Vascular damage in obese female rats with hypoestrogenism.

Abstract: Increase in body weight and adiposity has deleterious consequences on health. The aim of this study was to compare morphological and metabolic changes in the arterial vessels of Wistar rats with conditions of obesity, hypoestrogenism, and hypoestrogenism plus obesity. Ovariectomized rats (hypoestrogenic condition) received 30 % sugar in drinking water plus standard diet during 10 weeks. The hypoestrogenic-obese (HE-OB) group presented increase in weight, blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia compared with other groups. The morphological study in aortic vessels from HE showed damage in endothelial smooth muscle tissue compared with the other groups. Adipose cells volume in HE-OB (59.33 ± 2.38 μ3 × 105) and obese (OB) (54.95 ± 1.36 μ3 × 105) groups were significantly larger than control group (36.38 ± 0.98 μ3 × 105). In the HE group adipocyte hyperplasia was observed, while in OB group adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia was shown. The vascular reactivity in HE-OB and OB groups presented decrease in the relaxation to acetylcholine compared with control conditions (p < 0.05), whereas the addition of NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester resulted in a greater inhibition of relaxation in HE-OB and OB groups compared with control conditions (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the dysfunction in blood vessels observed in estrogen deficiency and obesity conditions contributes to early cardiovascular alterations.

Relevance of functional foods in the Mediterranean diet: the role of olive oil, berries and honey in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases

Abstract: The traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is a well-known dietary pattern associated with longevity and improvement of life quality as it reduces the risk of the most common chronic pathologies, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), that represent the principal cause of death worldwide. One of the most characteristic foods of MedDiet is olive oil, a very complex matrix, which constitutes the main source of fats and is used in the preparation of foods, both raw as an ingredient in recipes, and in cooking. Similarly, strawberries and raspberries are tasty and powerful foods which are commonly consumed in the Mediterranean area in fresh and processed forms and have attracted the scientific and consumer attention worldwide for their beneficial properties for human health. Besides olive oil and berries, honey has lately been introduced in the MedDiet thanks to its relevant nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant profile. It is a sweet substance that has recently been classified as a functional food. The aim of this review is to present and discuss the recent evidence, obtained from in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies, on the potential roles exerted by these foods in the prevention and progression of different types of cancer and CVDs.

Oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes contributes to decreased SERCA2a activity in rats with metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: Ca+ mishandling due to impaired activity of cardiac sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2a) has been associated with the development of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in insulin-...

A Review on the Protective Effects of Honey against Metabolic Syndrome.

Abstract: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of diseases comprising of obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. There are numerous pre-clinical as well as human studies reporting the protective effects of honey against MetS. Honey is a nutritional food low in glycemic index. Honey intake reduces blood sugar levels and prevents excessive weight gain. It also improves lipid metabolism by reducing total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which leads to decreased risk of atherogenesis. In addition, honey enhances insulin sensitivity that further stabilizes blood glucose levels and protects the pancreas from overstimulation brought on by insulin resistance. Furthermore, antioxidative properties of honey help in reducing oxidative stress, which is one of the central mechanisms in MetS. Lastly, honey protects the vasculature from endothelial dysfunction and remodelling. Therefore, there is a strong potential for honey supplementation to be integrated into the management of MetS, both as preventive as well as adjunct therapeutic agents.

Four-Week Consumption of Malaysian Honey Reduces Excess Weight Gain and Improves Obesity-Related Parameters in High Fat Diet Induced Obese Rats

Abstract: Many studies revealed the potential of honey consumption in controlling obesity. However, no study has been conducted using Malaysian honey. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of two local Malaysian honey types: Gelam and Acacia honey in reducing excess weight gain and other parameters related to obesity. The quality of both honey types was determined through physicochemical analysis and contents of phenolic and flavonoid. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced to become obese using high fat diet (HFD) prior to introduction with/without honey or orlistat for four weeks. Significant reductions in excess weight gain and adiposity index were observed in rats fed with Gelam honey compared to HFD rats. Moreover, levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol, plasma leptin and resistin, liver enzymes, renal function test, and relative organ weight in Gelam and Acacia honey treated groups were reduced significantly when compared to rats fed with HFD only. Similar results were also displayed in rats treated with orlistat, but with hepatotoxicity effects. In conclusion, consumption of honey can be used to control obesity by regulating lipid metabolism and appears to be more effective than orlistat.