Relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and metabolic syndrome among Jordanian adults

Evidence of the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and metabolic syndrome (MeS) remains uncertain and incongruent. This study aimed to determine the association between 25(OH)D and MeS among Jordanian adults. A complex multistage sampling technique was used to select a national population-based household sample. The present report deals exclusively with adults aged > 18 years who had complete information on all components of MeS (n = 3,234). A structured questionnaire was used to collect all relevant information. Anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory measurements were obtained. MeS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition. Of the total, 42.0% had MeS and 31.7% had 25(OH)D < 30 ng/ml. In a stratified analysis, the prevalence of MeS did not differ significantly between subjects with low and normal 25(OH)D levels for men and women in all age groups. In the multivariate analysis, the odds of MeS were not significantly different between subjects with low and normal 25(OH)D levels (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.70, 1.05, P-value = 0.133). The association between 25(OH)D and MeS remained non-significant when 25(OH)D was analyzed as a continuous variable (OR = 1.004, 95% CI; 1.000, 1.008, P = 0.057) and when analyzed based on quartiles. None of the individual components of MeS were significantly associated with 25(OH)D level. This study does not provide evidence to support the association between 25(OH)D level and MeS or its individual components. Prospective studies are necessary to better determine the roles of 25(OH)D levels in the etiology of MeS.     

Prevalence and risk indicators of gingivitis and periodontitis in a Multi-Centre study in North Jordan: a cross sectional study

Background  

There are limited data about the epidemiology and risk factors/indicators of gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and chronic periodontitis (CP) in Jordan. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk indicators of gingivitis, AgP and CP.     

Automutilation of the penis performed by the kitchen's knife

Automutilation of the penis performed by the kitchen's knife is described. Surgical techniques, the most important goals of therapy as well as psychiatric aspects of the automutilation are discussed.     

Dietary zinc deficiency induced-changes in the activity of enzymes and the levels of free radicals,lipids and protein electrophoretic behavior in growing rats

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient that is required in humans and animals for many physiological functions, including immune and antioxidant function, growth and reproduction. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of adequate Zn level (38 mg/kg diet, as a control) and two low levels that create Zn deficiencies (19 mg/kg diet, 1/2 of the control and 3.8 mg/kg diet, 1/10 of the control) in growing male and female rats for 10 weeks. To evaluate the effects of these levels, the concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), biochemical parameters and protein pattern were studied. Lipid peroxidation in liver, brain and testes of rats fed Zn-deficient diet was indicated by increased TBARS. Serum, liver, brain and testes glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were significantly (P<0.05) increased in Zn-deficient rats, the effect was pronounced in rats fed the lowest level of Zn (1/10 of control). The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly (P<0.05) increased in liver, brain and testes, but decreased in serum in a dose-dependent manner. Zinc deficiency increased (P<0.05) liver aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities in a dose-dependent manner, while there was no effect on the activity of these enzymes in testes. Zinc deficiency resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AlP) in serum and liver in a dose-dependent manner, but no effect in testes was found. The activity of acid phosphatase (AcP) was not affected in serum, liver and testes. Zn-deficient rats had higher liver concentrations of total lipids (TL), cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein (LDL), while high density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly (P<0.05) declined in a dose-dependent manner. Brain and serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were, however, not affected (P<0.05) by Zn deficiency. Protein content in liver, brain and testes showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in rats fed the lowest level of Zn (1/10 of control). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (native-PAGE) of serum proteins revealed that the intensity of immunoglobulins, serum albumin as well as several peptide bands were decreased in rats fed 1/2 or 1/10 of Zn adequate, i.e. their synthesis was affected and it was pronounced with the lowest level of Zn deficiency (1/10 of control). However, no clear effect on the transferrin was observed in both cases compared to controls. From the results of this study it can be concluded that Zn deficiency exerts numerous alterations in the studied biochemical parameters, protein pattern, and increased lipid peroxidation.     

Biliary,fecal and plasma deoxycholic acid in rabbit,hamster, guinea pig,and rat: comparative study and implication in colon cancer

Bile acids are believed to play a role in the etiology of colorectal cancer, and high fecal excretion of secondary bile acids was correlated with increased incidence of colon cancer. Recently, it was also reported that there is an increase in plasma of the secondary bile acid, deoxycholic acid in men with colorectal adenomas. Since deoxycholic acid is formed in the colon and absorbed into the portal systemic circulation, it was suggested that the blood concentration of this bile acid reflects the level of exposure of colonic cells to deoxycholic acid. The objective of this study was to investigate whether plasma deoxycholic acid level represents the fecal content of this bile acid in several animal species with different bile acid composition and deoxycholic acid contribution to the bile acid pool. Eight rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats were used in this study. Blood samples and feces were collected on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Bile samples were obtained only on day 7. The plasma, fecal and biliary bile acids were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Bile acid composition and deoxycholic acid content varied greatly between the animal species studied. There was a variation in the concentration of total bile acids in the plasma and feces obtained at different times during the experiments, however, the bile acids profile remained constant throughout the study. The data obtained shows that although plasma bile acid profile was not similar to fecal bile acids profile, however, there was a significant correlation between the level of plasma and fecal deoxycholic acid. Plasma deoxycholic acid concentration might be a reliable biomarker for the degree of exposure of colon cells to this bile acid, and may be useful in further studies on the role of secondary bile acids in colon carcinogenesis.