Elevation of the adiponectin/leptin ratio in women with gestational diabetes mellitus after supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a short chain fatty acid and is known as a universal antioxidant. The aim of the current clinical trial study was to explore the effects of ALA supplementation on maternal circulating values of adiponectin (A), leptin (L); and A/L, L/A, adiponectin/homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (A/H), and malondialdehyde/total antioxidant capacity (MDA/TAC) ratios in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Sixty women diagnosed as GDM during 24 and 28?weeks of pregnancy were randomly divided into drug (n?=?30) and placebo (n?=?30) groups. They consumed ALA (100?mg) and cellulose acetate (100?mg) respectively for 8?weeks, per day. The biochemical variables were evaluated before and after the trial. Maternal fasting serum values of glucose (p?<?.001), HOMA-IR (p?<?.001), MDA/TAC (p?<?.001), and L/A (p?=?.008) were decreased while values of adiponectin (p?=?.011), A/L (p?=?.001), and A/H (p?<?.001) were increased in the drug group after the intervention. In summary, current study had shown that after daily supplementation with 100?mg of ALA for 8?weeks in women with GDM, maternal circulating values of adiponectin, A/L, and A/H were increased while values of L/A and MDA/TAC were decreased.     

Increased levels of soluble HLA‐G molecules in Tunisian patients with chronic hepatitis B infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem. The mechanisms of immune tolerance in HBV infection are still unclear. The host immune response plays a critical role in determining the outcome of HBV infection. Human leucocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G) is involved in immunotolerogenic process and infectious diseases. This study aimed to explore the implication of soluble HLA‐G (sHLA‐G) and its isoforms in HBV infection. Total sHLA‐G (including shedding HLA‐G1 and HLA‐G5) was analysed by ELISA in 95 chronic HBV patients, 83 spontaneously resolvers and 100 healthy controls (HC). To explore the presence of sHLA‐G dimers, we performed an immunoprecipitation and a Western blot analysis on positive samples for sHLA‐G in ELISA. The serum levels of sHLA‐G were significantly increased in patients with chronic HBV patients compared to spontaneously resolvers and HC (P<.0001). Interestingly, we found an increased level of sHLA‐G1 in chronic HBV patients than in spontaneously resolvers and HC (P<.001). In addition, the expression of HLA‐G5 seems to be higher in the sera of chronic HBV patients than spontaneously resolvers (P=.026). The analysis of HLA‐G dimers showed the presence of homodimers in 93% of chronic HBV patients, 67% in spontaneously resolvers and 60% in HC. These results provide evidence that sHLA‐G may have a crucial role in the outcome of HBV infection and could be proposed as a biomarker for infection outcome. Based on its tolerogenic function, HLA‐G might be considered as a new promising immunotherapeutic approach to treat the chronic infection with HBV.     

Atypical Parkinsonism: Methamphetamine may play a role

Abusing methamphetamine can be considered as an agent that can cause or affect the course of atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS), which may raise attention regarding preventing abusing these drugs.     

Acute post‐infection cerebellar ataxia following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A case report

APCA is characterized as a sudden loss of coordination of muscle movements due to an infection and is the most frequent form of acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA), a common neurological disease in children. We attempt to underline that acute post‐infectious cerebellar ataxia (APCA) can be a post‐COVID complication in children.     

Characterization of Homozygous Hb Setif (HBA2: c.283G>T) in the Iranian Population

Hemoglobin (Hb) variants are abnormalities resulting from point mutations in either of the two α-globin genes (HBA2 or HBA1) or the β-globin gene (HBB). Various reports of Hb variants have been described in Iran and other countries around the world. Hb Setif (or HBA2: c.283G>T) is one of these variants with a mutation at codon 94 of of the α2-globin gene that is characterized in clinically normal heterozygous individuals. We here report clinical and hematological findings in two homozygous cases of Iranian origin for this unstable Hb variant.     

Expression and localization of galectin-9 in the human uterodome

Galectin-9 has been recently considered as a novel marker for the mid- and late-secretory phases of human endometrium and decidua. The aim of this study was to investigate the subcellular distribution of galectin-9 in the endometrial epithelium, especially during the frame of the implantation window. Endometrial biopsies in the proliferative, early, and mid-secretory phases from women with regular menstrual cycle were studied using several approaches, including scanning electron microscopy, immunostaining for light and transmission electron microscopies (TEM), immunoblotting, and statistical analysis of the area-related numerical densities of galectin-9-bound nanogold. Images of immunostaining for light microscopy demonstrated a strong expression of galectin-9 at the luminal and glandular endometrial epithelium in the mid-secretory phase compared to the proliferative and early secretory phases. Data of immunoblotting revealed a molecular weight of 36 kDa band with high intensity in the mid-secretory samples. Photomicrographs of immunogold staining for TEM illustrated the localization of galectin-9 in the uterodomes. Statistical and morphometric analysis showed a significantly higher area-related numerical density of galectin-9-bound nano-golds in the uterodomes compared to that of the uterodome-free areas of the luminal epithelium (p<0.001). This is the first demonstration of the molecular localization of galectin-9 in the bulbous ultrastructure of the human endometrial epithelium, called uterodomes. High expression of galectin-9 at uterodomes during the frame of implantation window suggests that galectin-9 can be considered as a marker of endometrial receptivity and should play an important role during the initial events of human embryo implantation.     

Effects of co-supplementation of vitamins E and C on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat

Gentamicin (GM) is an effective antibiotic against severe gram-negative infections. However it can produce nephrotoxicity in human. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed as the causative factors of the renal side effects the drug. This study was performed to investigate the protective role of antioxidant vitamins against GM-mediated nephropathy in an in situ model of isolated rat kidney. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following groups of seven rats: group 1 (Control) was perfused with Tyrode solution; group 2 (GM), 200 microg ml(-1) GM was added to the perfusate; group 3 (GM + Vit C), as group 2 with vitamin C added to the drinking water for 3 days (200 mg l(-1)) and to the perfusate (100 mg l(-1)); group 4 (GM + Vit E), as group 2 with vitamin E (100 mg (100 g body weight)(-1), i.m.) injected 12 h before the start of the experiment; group 5 (GM + Vit C + Vit E) as group 2 with vitamin E and C co-administered (concentrations and conditions as in groups 3 and 4). To compare the groups, urinary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), N-acetyle-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, inulin clearance (glomerular filtration rate, GFR) and renal tissue glutathione (GSH) content were measured. GM caused a significant nephrotoxicity demonstrated by an increase in urinary LDH, NAG and ALP activities. Reduction in GSH content and a marked decrease in GFR were observed compared to controls. Vitamin C inhibited the GM-induced increase in urinary enzyme activities but did not show a significant effect on the GSH content or GFR. Vitamin E prevented the GM-induced reduction in GSH level without a significant improvement in GFR. Co-administration of vitamins C and E significantly prevented the GM-induced nephrotoxicity demonstrating by preservation of GFR and GSH levels and prevention of increase in urinary enzyme activities. We conclude that co-administration of moderate doses of vitamins C and E has beneficial effects on renal preservation in GM-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Beneficial effects of celery (Apium graveolens) on metabolic syndrome: A review of the existing evidences

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of multiple conditions that includes hypertension, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, and hyperglycemia disorders. Most studies revealed that the MetS is accompanied with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance. It can be said that, in treating or preventing the MetS and its components, lifestyle adjustment and weight loss have a vital role. According to various studies, among natural compounds, celery (Apium graveolens) is one of the most important sources of phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta‐carotene (Provitamin A), and manganese. These antioxidants have a role in decreasing the oxidative damage. The phytochemicals in celery decrease the activity of proinflammatory cytokines and prevent inflammation. Also, flavonoids in celery suppress cardiovascular inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation in the blood stream are the main risk factors in increasing cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis. Celery phthalides leads to expanding of smooth muscle in the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. As a result, the most active ingredients in celery (A. graveolens (have shown hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, and hypotensive properties. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of celery components on insulin action, glucose, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure.     

Effect of multivitamin versus multivitamin-mineral supplementation on metabolic profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnant women: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Objective: This study was designed to determine the favorable effects of received multivitamin versus multivitamin-mineral supplements on metabolic profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress among Iranian pregnant women.

Methods: This double-blind randomized-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 70 pregnant women, primigravida, aged 18–35 years old between 16 and 37 weeks gestation. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either the multivitamin (n?=?35) or multivitamin-mineral supplements (n?=?35) for 20 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after a 20-week intervention to measure lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Results: After 20 weeks of intervention, multivitamin-mineral supplementation resulted in a significant difference on serum triglycerides levels (changes from baseline in multivitamin-mineral group: +6.1 versus in multivitamin group: +45.9?mg/dl, p?=?0.04) compared with the multivitamin group. In addition, increased concentrations of serum HDL-cholesterol (changes from baseline in multivitamin-mineral group: +0.1 versus in multivitamin group: ?7.4?mg/dl, p?=?0.02) and total glutathione (GSH) levels (changes from baseline in multivitamin-mineral group: +151.09 versus in multivitamin group: ?116.21?µmol/l, p?=?0.003) were also seen in the multivitamin-mineral group compared with the multivitamin group.

Conclusion: Supplementation of multivitamin-mineral compared to multivitamin supplementation for 20 weeks during pregnancy had beneficial effects on triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and GSH levels.