Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation affects pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes: a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial

Objective: This study was designed to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on inflammatory factors, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM).

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 56 women with GDM. Subjects were randomly selected to receive either 1000?mg omega-3 fatty acid supplements (containing 180?mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120?mg docosahexanoic acid) (n?=?27) or a placebo (n?=?27) for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at study baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention to quantify biochemical variables. Newborn’s weight, height, head circumference, Apgar score, and hyperbilirubinemia were determined.

Results: At the end of the 6 weeks, taking omega-3 fatty acid significantly decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (change from baseline: ?245.1?±?1570.5 versus?+?913.9?±?2329.4?ng/mL, p?=?0.03) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (?0.4?±?1.3 versus?+?0.6±2.3, p?=?0.04) compared with the placebo. Supplementation with omega-3 had a low incidence of hyperbilirubinemiain newborns (7.7% versus 33.3%, p?=?0.02) and decreased newborns’ hospitalization rate (7.7% versus 33.3%, p?=?0.02).

Conclusions: Taken together, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in GDM women had beneficial effects on maternal serum hs-CRP, plasma MDA levels, incidence of newborn’s hyperbilirubinemia, and hospitalization.     

Sarcoidosis with multiple organ involvement and uncommon symptoms: A case report

Sarcoidosis is a complicated inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of non‐caseating epithelioid granulomas in many organs. Herein, we reported a sarcoidosis case with multiple organ involvements and our diagnostic criteria and treatment plan.     

Selective microbiologic effects of tea extract on certain antibiotics against Escherichia coli in vitro

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the microbiologic effects of black tea, compared to green tea, alone and in conjunction with selected antibiotics against Escherichia coli, the common cause of intestinal and urinary tract infections. DESIGN: This study was an in vitro evaluation of antibacterial effects of tea extracts. METHODS: Black and green tea extracts were analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography to compare their major polyphenol profiles. Different concentrations of the extracts or gallic acid (GA), the phenolic compound found with high concentration in the black tea extract, were employed for bacterial sensitivity tests, using pour plate and disc diffusion methods. The latter was used to evaluate the interactions between the extracts and certain anti-E. coli antibiotics. RESULTS: GA in black tea extract and epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate in green tea extract are present in the highest concentrations, respectively. At concentrations of 25 mg/mL, both black and green teas after 5 and 7 hours completely inhibited E. coli growth. GA at concentrations of 5, 10, and 25 microg/mL after 7, 5 and 3 hrs, respectively, inhibited bacterial growth. Both black and green tea extracts had either synergistic or antagonistic effects at different concentrations on selected antibiotics, while GA showed a synergistic effect with all the antibiotics tested in a dose-dependent manner. The effect was more prominent with amikacin and sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: The microbiologic effects of both black tea and green tea extracts on certain antibiotics against E. coli may vary, depending on the type of the tea extract (i.e., black vs. green), the amount of the extract, and the antibiotic being used.     

The opposite associations of lycopene and body fat mass with humoral immunity in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a possible role in atherogenesis

This study examined the possible effects of lycopene at physiological dosage and body fat mass on the humoral immune response in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 35 patients with Typ2 diabetes mellitus from both sexes aged 54+/-9 yrs from the Iranian Diabetes Society were introduced into a double blind placebo controlled clinical trial conducted for 2 months. After a 2-week lycopene free diet washout period, patients were allocated to either lycopene supplementation group (10mg/d) (n=16) or placebo age- and sex matched group (n=19) for 8 weeks. Patients were instructed to keep their diets and physical activities as unchanged as possible. Lycopene supplements increased serum lycopene levels (p<0.001). While intake of dietary energy and nutrients did not change in either groups, the ratio of total antioxidant capacity to malondialdehyde increased significantly in the lycopene group (p=0.007). There was an inverse correlation between serum levels of lycopene and those of IgG (r= -0.338, p=0.008). On the contrary, changes of serum levels of lycopene directly correlated with those of IgM (r=0.466, p=0.005). Interestingly, changes of the amount of fat mass correlated directly with those of serum IgG (r=0.415, p=0.044) but inversely with of serum IgM (r= -0.469, p=0.021). While truncal fat might promote adaptive humoral immunity, lycopene probably by inhibiting MDA-LDL formation might attenuate T cell dependent adaptive (pro-atherogenic) humoral immune response. These findings may have preventive implications in long term diabetic complications, notably atherogenesis.     

Concurrent monoclonal gammopathy and systemic lupus erythematosus in a known case of ulcerative colitis: A case report

Our patient had previously been diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis. The clinical manifestations of the patient along with laboratory tests such as anti‐dsDNA and proteinuria were also positive. Therefore, the clinical manifestation was consistent with SLE. In the following work up, monoclonal gammopathy in serum electrophoresis was also detected.