Prediabetes mellitus (pre-DM) is defined as blood glucose levels higher than normal but lower than the threshold for diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosis. Four-limb blood pressure (BP) differences can help identify a significant risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The current study aimed to determine the importance of BP and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) between two patient groups and the association between fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and four-limb BP, ABI, interarm BP difference (IAD), and interleg BP difference (ILD). Moreover, the effect of cardiovascular risk factors on the development of pre-DM among older adults was evaluated. The participants were divided into the normal fasting glucose (NFG) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) groups. Data on physical characteristics, lipid profiles, four-limb BP, ABI, IAD, ILD, and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed. The IFG group had a significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure than the NFG group ( ). SBP was significantly positively correlated with FBG levels ( ). The IFG group had a lower ABI than the NFG group ( ). However, there was no significant difference in terms of IAD and ILD between the two groups. Furthermore, hypertension (HT), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and dyslipidemia were significantly correlated with a high prevalence of prediabetes ( ). Individuals with prediabetes had a higher BP than those with normoglycemia. Prediabetes was correlated with HT, MetS, and dyslipidemia.

Metabolic syndrome is an important health problem associated with both subclinical atherosclerosis and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and it leads to an elevated total mortality. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) is widely used for noninvasive assessment of arterial stiffness. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) predicts peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower extremities. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) is thought to be involved in the development of arterial stiffness. The present study aimed to: (1) compare aPWV, ABI, and MDA between participants with MetS and those without MetS and (2) investigate the correlation of aPWV and ABI with the components of MetS and MDA. A total of 48 Thai elderly subjects were divided into 2 groups (MetS and non-MetS) according to the parameters set by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). aPWV and ABI were measured using the VaSera VS-1500 system (Fukuda Denshi Co., Tokyo, Japan). MDA was determined by spectrophotometry. aPWV and MDA were significantly higher in the MetS group compared to the participants in the non-MetS group (9.33 ± 2.72 vs. 7.95 ± 1.37 m/s, p = 0.03, and 0.74 ± 0.71 vs. 0.45 ± 0.20 μmol, p = 0.02, respectively). However, ABI did not differ between the groups. Analysis of the risk factors of aPWV in each group revealed that there were no statistical associations between the components of MetS and MDA and aPWV in both the MetS and the non-MetS groups. A high aPWV is more prevalent among patients with MetS than among those without MetS. Monitoring of aPWV might help to explore potential detection of vascular damage in the elderly.

Background: Increased arterial stiffness caused by elevated Blood Pressure (BP) can be indicated by the Cardio-ankle Vascular Index (CAVI). However, the relationship between arterial stiffness and BP is complex. In addition, changes in BP may contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with abnormal lipid profiles. So far, results from published studies have been inconclusive. Objectives: To evaluate lipid profiles and BP, and their association with CAVI values in elderly participants. Methods: The study included 95 elderly Thai individuals. Anthropometric data, lipid profiles, and BP and CAVI values were established. Participants were then divided into low-CAVI (CAVI < 9, n = 50) and high-CAVI groups (CAVI ≥ 9, n = 45). Stepwise linear and logistic regression models were used. Results: The high-CAVI group had significantly higher BP and hypertension levels, than the low-CAVI group. The mean age of the high-CAVI group was also higher (≥65 years). CAVI value was positively correlated with Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Pulse Pressure (PP) in the high-CAVI group. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed SBP (β = 0.43, p < 0.01) and hip circumference (β = −0.23, p = 0.01) were associated with CAVI values. Logistic regression of the high-CAVI indices showed that the Odds Ratios (ORs) for the factors of age ≥65 years, obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia were 7.35 (95% CI 2.42–22.36, p < 0.01), 0.20 (95% CI 0.64–0.67, p < 0.01) 4.72 (95% CI 1.67–13.32, p < 0.01), and 4.84 (95% CI 1.42–16.46, p = 0.01), respectively. Conclusion: A higher SBP level was correlated with a high-CAVI value in elderly people.

This study investigated the effects of asparagus powder supplementation on blood glucose regulation, insulin, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in overweight and obese individuals. Forty-four adults aged 18–59 years participated in a 12-week randomized controlled trial and were randomly assigned to receive either asparagus powder (40 mg/kg/day) or a placebo (maltodextrin, 40 mg/kg/day). Assessments included an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and β-cell function (HOMA-B), lipid profile, and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], protein carbonyl, and superoxide dismutase [SOD]). In the asparagus group, OGTT at 30 min and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) significantly decreased, while SOD activity significantly increased (all p < 0.05). In contrast, the placebo group showed significant increases in OGTT at 30 min, insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, triglycerides (TG), the TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, and the total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ratio (all p < 0.05). Between-group comparisons indicated that FBG, area under the BG curve at 30–120 min, TG, TG/HDL-C, and MDA levels were significantly lower in the asparagus group than in the placebo group (all p < 0.05), whereas OGTT, LDL-C, SOD activity, insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, and TC/HDL-C did not differ significantly. Other indices, including TC, HDL-C, and protein carbonyl, showed no significant within- or between-group differences. In conclusion, 12 weeks of asparagus powder supplementation partially improved glycemic control, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in overweight and obese individuals. These findings suggest a potential role of asparagus as a complementary nutritional strategy to reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this population.

Physical inactivity contributes to oxidative stress, hypertension, and progressive kidney dysfunction in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Rhythmic walking, a low-intensity and easily implemented form of exercise, may offer renal and cardiovascular benefits. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of rhythmic walking in adults with CKD stages 2–3. Sixty-four participants (mean age: 67.8 ± 7.5 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 33; standard care) or a walking group (n = 31; 30 min/session, three times weekly for 12 weeks at 60 steps/min). Primary outcomes included kidney function, oxidative stress, and blood pressure. After 12 weeks, no significant within-group changes were observed in kidney function, though the walking group showed trends toward higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.071) and estimated creatinine clearance (p = 0.089). Between-group analysis revealed significantly higher superoxide dismutase activity (p = 0.028) and lower malondialdehyde levels (p = 0.037) in the walking group. Both groups exhibited blood pressure reductions, with greater decreases in pulse rate (p = 0.016) and rate–pressure product (p = 0.039) in the walking group. A 12-week rhythmic walking program improved oxidative stress and BP profiles and may help slow renal decline in CKD.

Thai rice varieties, including Hom Pathum (Pathumthani fragrant rice) and Tubtim Chumphae rice, contain bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant properties. In this study, their acute effects on glycemic response, cardiac autonomic function, endurance performance, and oxidative stress were investigated in healthy adults. In a randomized crossover design, two independent cohorts of healthy adults were enrolled. A total of 50 participants completed two separate experiments (n = 25 per experiment), in which they consumed 140 g of control jelly, Hom Pathum rice jelly, and Tubtim Chumphae rice jelly in a randomized order on separate occasions. In Experiment 1, blood glucose (BG) was measured at baseline and every 30 min for 120 min, while insulin concentrations were assessed at baseline and after 120 min. In Experiment 2, participants performed treadmill exercise at 60% VO₂peak to volitional exhaustion, and exercise-induced oxidative stress was evaluated following exercise. Postprandial BG responses differed significantly among interventions. At 30 min, BG concentrations were lower following Hom Pathum and Tubtim Chumphae rice jellies compared with the control jelly (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively), and these reductions were maintained between 60 and 120 min, with Tubtim Chumphae rice generally demonstrating greater glycemic attenuation (p < 0.05). The BG area under the curve was significantly lower following both rice jellies than following the control jelly (p ≤ 0.005). No significant differences were observed in insulin concentrations, HOMA indices, heart rate variability, or blood pressure among interventions. Both rice jellies improved endurance performance compared with the control condition (p < 0.05), whereas post-exercise malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly reduced only following Tubtim Chumphae rice consumption (p = 0.049). These findings suggest that acute consumption of Thai rice-based jellies, particularly Tubtim Chumphae rice jelly, may attenuate postprandial glycemic responses and enhance endurance performance, with Tubtim Chumphae rice additionally demonstrating potential to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress. However, these findings reflect short-term physiological responses in healthy adults and should be interpreted cautiously pending further mechanistic and long-term investigations.