Anxiety and Depression and Associated Risk Factors among Outpatients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Although mood disorders are prevalent among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, they are usually underrecognized. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Saudi SLE patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among SLE patients from July 2022 to June 2023 in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect the data through validated tools including the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale-A and the Beck Depression Inventory score. RESULTS: There were 133 females (91.7%) and 12 males (8.3%) included in this study. Based on the HAM-A score, 45.5% of participants had an anxiety disorder, and according to the BDI score, 46.2% had a depression disorder. Anxiety and depression were significantly associated with a longer duration of SLE, unemployment status, smoking, and the presence of comorbidities. Moreover, the present study found a significant association between depression and male gender. CONCLUSION: This study found that Saudi SLE patients have a high prevalence of both anxiety and depression. Therefore, SLE patients should be screened for neuropsychiatric disorders during routine follow-ups and managed as early as possible.

The effect of moderate-intensity exercises on physical fitness, adiposity, and cardiovascular risk factors in Saudi males university students.

Physical inactivity has been linked to several non-communicable diseases. This cross-sectional study investigated the impact of moderate-intensity exercise on physical fitness, adiposity, and cardiovascular risk factors in 284 Saudi male university students in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia between 2017 and 2019. The physical activity (PA) intervention comprised three (120 minutes each) sessions of moderate intensity on non-consecutive days each week, delivering a total of 360 minutes of PA per week for ten weeks. We measured physical fitness using VO2 max calculations and assessed adiposity and cardiovascular risk factors using a range of parameters, such as systolic/diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, body adiposity index, and body fat percentage. Our study found a significant increase in VO2 max after ten weeks of moderate-intensity exercise (<0.001). Additionally, body adiposity indices were significantly reduced before and after the intervention (p<0.001), as were cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings suggest that regular moderate-intensity exercise effectively improves physical fitness, decreases adiposity, and lowers cardiovascular risk factors in Saudi male adults. We recommend that policymakers and public health practitioners increase physical activity among university students by launching a campaign on social media and through.

Naringenin ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity in experimental model.

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is widely described in the management of several nonneoplastic and neoplastic disorders. Renal damage is the most reported toxic effect of CP in clinical practice. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of Naringenin (NG) in attenuating renal damage induced by CP in an experimental model. A total of 32 rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): negative control: rats fed on a basal diet, positive control: rats injected intraperitoneally with CP 50 mg/kg of body weight/day, NG 100: rats treated with NG 100 mg/kg/day body orally with concomitant administration of CP as described before, and NG 200: rats treated with NG 200 mg/kg/day body orally daily + CP. At the end of the experimental protocol (21 days), blood creatinine and urea levels were measured. The antioxidant activities and lipid peroxidation products were measured in the renal tissues as indicators of oxidative damage. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry staining were also performed on renal tissues. Coadministration of NG along with CP significantly (p < 0.001) improved the renal function and antioxidant capacities compared with positive control animals. Furthermore, histopathological, and immunological examination of renal tissue confirmed the protective effect of NG against CP-induced nephrotoxicity. The current study showed that NG has the potential to protect CP-induced renal damage, which may be beneficial for further studies and the design of NG analogs to be useful in clinical practice against CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Synergistic Effects of Nigella sativa and Exercise on Diabetic Profiles: A Systematic Review.

Individually, Nigella sativa (NS) and physical training interventions have been shown to be effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus. However, the effect of these in combination on bioindicators of diabetes has not yet been evaluated; there is little information available in the literature. A systematic review was therefore performed to assess any mutually potentiating impacts of NS and physical training interventions in diabetic subjects. A search was performed on this topic in the PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar and Web of Science databases for randomised, quasi-randomised or non-randomised controlled trials, studies with factorial or single-cohort pre-post designs, case series as well as case reports. The search terms encompassed various combinations of the following: "exercise", "training", "physical activity", "NS", "treadmill", "swimming", "Thymoquinone", "Nigellone", "caraway oil" and "black seeds". Two reviewers screened the abstracts of 202 identified publications according to predetermined inclusion criteria-i.e. papers published from 2009 onwards in the English language, studies on human or animal subjects, and the assessment of diabetic bioindicators following the combined administration of NS and exercise regimens in comparison with just one of these interventions or against controls. Despite the rich data available regarding the effect of both interventions separately, two human studies and two animal studies were ultimately included in the review. However, the benefit of combined administration of NS and exercise regimens on glycemic and lipidemic control was much more obvious compared to exercise alone. In conclusion, these findings suggested that combined administration of NS and exercise regimens could be used as an effective adjuvant for oral antidiabetic drugs in diabetes control.

Assessment of dietary magnesium intake in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Magnesium is an essential element and the most abundant intracellular cation after potassium. This cross-sectional study assessed the average dietary magnesium intake among residents of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a self-reported validated electronic questionnaire between April 2022 and July 2023. The first part of the survey included demographic data, and the second section comprised 33 items, including a semi-quantitative tool specifically designed to evaluate magnesium intake over the last three months. We included 1065 participants, out of whom 61.1% were women. The predominant age group was 19 - 26 years (56.9%), and most participants (83.3%) reported no comorbidities. The majority (48.5%) had normal weight, 246 (23%) were overweight, and 193 (18.1%) were obese. Most participants had low dietary magnesium intake, ranging from one to five times monthly. There was a positive correlation between age and dietary magnesium consumption. The study highlights a concerning trend of low magnesium intake, representing a risk for various chronic diseases. This trend could be linked to increased consumption of typical diets low in magnesium, such as those high in refined sugars, flour, and processed foods, prevalent among the younger Saudi population.

Lipotoxicity-related sarcopenia: a review.

A body of literature supports the postulation that a persistent lipid metabolic imbalance causes lipotoxicity, "an abnormal fat storage in the peripheral organs". Hence, lipotoxicity could somewhat explain the process of sarcopenia, an aging-related, gradual, and involuntary decline in skeletal muscle strength and mass associated with several health complications. This review focuses on the recent mechanisms underlying lipotoxicity-related sarcopenia. A vicious cycle occurs between sarcopenia and ectopic fat storage via a complex interplay of mitochondrial dysfunction, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress, collagen deposition, extracellular matrix remodeling, and life habits. The repercussions of lipotoxicity exacerbation of sarcopenia can include increased disability, morbidity, and mortality. This suggests that appropriate lipotoxicity management should be considered the primary target for the prevention and/or treatment of chronic musculoskeletal and other aging-related disorders. Further advanced research is needed to understand the molecular details of lipotoxicity and its consequences for sarcopenia and sarcopenia-related comorbidities.

Impact of smoking intensities on sleep quality in young Saudi males: a comparative study.

This study aimed to compare various components of sleep quality between cigarette smokers of various intensities and non-smokers in young Saudi males. In total, 73 healthy male participants (31 smokers and 42 non-smokers) aged 17-33 years were recruited over three months (August 2018 to October 2018). All participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. The smokers were then divided into three groups, according to their Smoking Index* (SI) (Cigarettes Per Day (CPD) X Years of Tobacco Use), into mild, moderate, and heavy smokers. The PSQI was significantly higher in heavy smokers than in mild smokers (P=0.022) or non-smokers (p=0.013). A significant positive correlation was observed between the PSQI and the smoking index (p=0.005). Sleep duration was significantly longer in heavy smokers compared to mild (p=0.032) and nonsmokers (p=0.047). Sleep disturbance was significantly higher in moderate than nonsmokers (p=0.035) and moderate than mild smokers (p=0.028). Sleep latency was significantly longer in heavy than nonsmokers (p=0.011). Daytime dysfunction was significantly higher in moderate than mild smokers (p=0.041). Habitual sleep efficiency was significantly greater in moderate than in either mild (p=0.013) or nonsmokers (p=0.021). The use of sleep medication was significantly higher in moderate than nonsmokers (p=0.041). The findings suggest that poorer sleep quality is positively associated with smoking intensity among young Saudi males. Considering the importance of sleep quality for well-being and health, these results suggest exploring how improving sleep quality could inform future smoking cessation interventions.

Beneficial effects of adding magnesium to desalinated drinking water on metabolic and insulin resistance parameters among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

There is evidence that increasing the consumption of water containing magnesium can improve glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This trial was undertaken with the objective of evaluating the effect of adding different concentrations of magnesium chloride to the desalinated drinking water on the glycemic, metabolic, and insulin resistance parameters among patients with T2DM. A randomized cross-sectional controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding magnesium chloride supplement to desalinated drinking water consumed by patients with T2DM on the glycemic and metabolic parameters and indicators of insulin sensitivity. The total number of patients with T2DM who successfully completed the trial is 102. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: the first group received bottled water without added magnesium (0 mg/L) (Group A, n = 37); the second group received bottled water with a low level of magnesium (20 mg/L) (Group B, n = 33); and the third group received drinking water with a high level of magnesium (50 mg/L) (Group C, n = 32). The daily consumption of elemental magnesium for a period of 3 months resulted in significant improvement in HbA1C (8.0 vs 8.2%, p = 0.04), insulin level (7.5 vs 9.9 µIU/mL, p = 0.03), and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA.IR) (2.5 vs 2.9, p = 0.002) in group C. However, there was no significant improvement in fasting blood glucose (FBS) level or lipid profile. The results of this study suggest that oral magnesium supplementation at the given dose of 50 mg/L daily added to drinking water could improve long-term glycemic control indicators and reduce insulin resistance in patients with T2DM.

Quercetin Nanoemulsion Ameliorates Neuronal Dysfunction in Experimental Alzheimer's Disease Model.

Aluminum is the most abundant metal that can get admission to the human through several means that include our food, drinking water, cans, drugs, and deodorants, causing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study aims to evaluate the role of quercetin nanoemulsion (QCNE) in attenuating neuronal dysfunction in aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced experimental AD. All animals were classified into six groups including negative control group (I): received a vehicle; QC group: received intraperitoneal (IP) injection of QC; Alzheimer's group: received AlCl3 orally; treated group (I): received AlCl3 orally and IP injection of QC; treated group (II): received AlCl3 orally and QC orally; and treated group (III): received AlCl3 orally and IP injection of QCNE. At the end of the experimental period (30 days), the brain was used to study biochemical parameters (measurement of neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine), oxidant/antioxidant parameters (reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and advanced oxidation protein product), and inflammatory markers (adiponectin, interleukin 1ß, and plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha)), while another part was for brain immune-histochemical analysis (study cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2)). Results showed that the mean value of oxidative stress markers was significantly increased in the AD group as well as the inflammatory biomarkers and all the study neurotransmitters, whereas these parameters were attenuated in treated groups, especially those that received QCNE. The immunohistochemistry findings confirm our results. Both approaches (QC and QCNE) succeeded in retracting the negative impact of AlCl3. Meanwhile, the effect of QCNE is more potent in mitigating the impact mediated by AlCl3 in treated animals. In conclusion, the treatment mainly by QCNE has huge potential in protecting against AlCl3-induced neuronal dysfunction, as shown in our results by the elevation of brain antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities and neurotransmitter levels as well as mending of the histopathological changes in animal models.

Association of Sleep, Body Weight and Physical Exercise with Plasma BDNF Levels in Healthy Male Saudi Smokers.

Introduction: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to impact neural function and development. The BDNF plasma levels may be affected by a smoker's behavior. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between sleep, body weight and physical exercise with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in healthy male Saudi smokers. Methods: A cross-sectional study, with a convenience sample, was conducted during personal visits to the Anti-Smoking Clinic and Family and Community Medical Center of Imam Abdurrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) in Dammam at the end of 2018. Blood samples were taken from participants to measure the BDNF plasma levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between plasma BDNF levels and participants' background characteristics, such as smoking index, physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Results: A sample of 73 (31 smokers and 42 non-smokers) males took part in the study. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between plasma BDNF levels with physical activity, smoking age, smoking index, PSQI and BMI 25-29.9 (overweight). However, the results showed no significant relationship between plasma BDNF levels and BMI (healthy weight) and obesity. Conclusion: This study shows that physical activity and sleeping quality can provide a positive impact against smoking-associated variation of the BDNF plasma levels, which may affect the health of Saudi males. Further investigation is needed to understand what other potential background characteristics are best predictive or correlated with BDNF plasma levels.

What is the current status of childhood obesity in Saudi Arabia?: Evidence from 20,000 cases in the Eastern Province: A cross-sectional study.

The prevalence rate of those overweight, as well as obesity among children in Saudi Arabia, keeps rising. The aim of the study was to estimate childhood obesity in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Over the period 2016 to 2017, a cross-sectional campaign was carried out in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from over 20,000 boys' and girls' schools. The campaign collected data on birthday/age, weight, height, sex, district in which the school is located, level of education, and blood pressure level. The findings from the present study indicated a prevalence of 25.7% for overweight and obesity among high school-age students. More importantly, ≈35% of the study's students have either elevated blood pressure or hypertension. The significant predictors of childhood obesity were education level, age, glucose level, and blood pressure. The children in higher school levels originally from the Eastern Province had a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. Recommendations are made on the need of regular screening program among school-age children, as well as to continue raising awareness about childhood obesity.

Estimation of elemental concentrations in the toenail of young Saudi females with obesity.

Elemental homeostasis is essential for maintaining normal metabolic processes. Elements in the toenails are now considered in the diagnosis or screening and used as biomarkers of several metabolic disorders. The incidence of obesity is more prevalent in females than males globally. At the same time, females appeared more susceptible to elemental alterations than males. This study aimed to evaluate the variation in the levels of several elements in toenails as possible biomarkers of health conditions associated with obesity in young Saudi females. A cross-sectional study was performed, between February-November 2019. The study enrolled 79 young females divided into two groups: participants with obesity (n=39) and non-obese (n=40). The toenail was analyzed to estimate Fe, I, K, Na, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ca, Mg, Cu, Co, and Se levels. The study showed a significant elevation in the levels of Fe, Ca, K, and Na in the toenail sample of female participants with obesity compared to the non-obese group. The levels of Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, and Cr, were significantly decreased in the toenail of participants with obesity. Moreover, other elements (i.e., Mg, I, and Se) were not significantly lower in the female group with obesity. Our findings confirmed the alterations of several elements among Saudi females with obesity. The toenail elemental analysis may become a useful diagnostic technique in monitoring the nutritional status, predicting some metabolic disorders, and environmental exposure.

A novel stacking ensemble for detecting three types of diabetes mellitus using a Saudi Arabian dataset: Pre-diabetes, T1DM, and T2DM.

Glucose is the primary source of energy for cells, which are the building blocks of life. It is given to the body by insulin that carries out the metabolic tasks that keep people alive. Glucose level imbalance is a sign of diabetes mellitus (DM), a common type of chronic disease. It leads to long-term complications, such as blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease, having a negative impact on one's quality of life. In Saudi Arabia, a ten-fold increase in diabetic cases has been documented within the last three years. DM is broadly categorized as Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM), Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), and Pre-diabetes. The diagnosis of the correct type is sometimes ambiguous to medical professionals causing difficulties in managing the illness progression. Intensive efforts have been made to predict T2DM. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on accurately identifying T1DM and Pre-diabetes. Therefore, this study aims to utilize Machine Learning (ML) to distinguish and predict the three types of diabetes based on a Saudi Arabian hospital dataset to control their progression. Four different experiments have been conducted to achieve the highest results, where several algorithms were used, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN), Decision Tree (DT), Bagging, and Stacking. In experiments 2, 3, and 4, the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) was applied to balance the dataset. The empirical results demonstrated promising results of the novel Stacking model that combined Bagging K-NN, Bagging DT, and K-NN, with a K-NN meta-classifier attaining an accuracy, weighted recall, weighted precision, and cohen's kappa score of 94.48%, 94.48%, 94.70%, and 0.9172, respectively. Five principal features were identified to significantly affect the model accuracy using the permutation feature importance, namely Education, AntiDiab, Insulin, Nutrition, and Sex.

The impact of obesity on hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

This study aimed to assess the association of obesity with the severity and outcome of COVID-19 infection. A retrospective observational study was performed from March to September 2020 in Saudi Arabia. Baseline and laboratory data were collected from the inpatient health record system. The cohort was divided into three groups based on body mass index. Following this, the severity and outcome of COVID-19 disease were analyzed between the three groups. Of the 502 COVID-19 cases included, 244 (48.5%) were obese. Obesity was significantly associated with severe (53.5%) or critical (28%) COVID-19 infection (P<0.001) and a higher need for ICU admission (35.8%, P=0.034). Multivariate analysis showed that overweight/obesity was an independent risk factor of severe (P<0.001) as well as critical COVID-19 infection (P=0.026, respectively) and a predictor of a higher risk of ICU admission (P=0.012). Class I obesity was associated with severe-critical COVID-19 disease (33.6%, P=0.042) compared to other obesity classes. Obesity is an independent risk factor for severe-critical COVID-19 infection and a higher risk of ICU admission. Clinicians should give special attention to such populations and prioritize vaccination programs to improve outcomes.

The Impact of Vitamin D Level on the Severity and Outcome of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Disease.

PURPOSE: The world is experiencing a life-altering and extraordinary situation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are limited data and controversies regarding the relationship between vitamin D (Vit D) status and COVID-19 disease. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the association between Vit D levels and the severity or outcomes of COVID-19 disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia from January to August 2021. All the admitted patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection were distributed into three groups depending on their Vit D levels: normal, insufficiency, and deficiency. For the three groups, demographic data, and laboratory investigations as well as data regarding the severity of COVID-19 were collected and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 203 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 were included in this study. The Vit D level was normal (>30) in 31 (15.3%) cases, insufficient in 45 (22.2%) cases and deficient in 127 (62.6%) cases. Among the included cases, 58 (28.6%) were critical cases, 109 (53.7%) were severe and 36 (17.7%) had a mild-moderate COVID-19 infection. The most prevalent comorbidity of patients was diabetes mellitus 117 (57.6%), followed by hypertension 70 (34.5%), cardiac disease 24 (11.8%), chronic kidney disease 19 (9.4%) and chronic respiratory disease in 17 (8.4%) cases. Importantly, the current study did not detect any significant association between Vit D status and COVID-19 severity (p-value=0.371) or outcomes (hospital stay, intensive care units admission, ventilation, and mortality rate) (p-value > 0.05), even after adjusting the statistical model for the confounders. CONCLUSION: In hospital settings, Vit D levels are not associated with the severity or outcomes of COVID-19 disease. Further, well-designed studies are required to determine whether Vit D status provides protective effects against worse COVID-19 outcomes.

The Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg for Weight Management in Obese Non-Diabetic Saudi Outpatients.

BACKGROUND: Unmanaged cases of obesity might lead to serious conditions and complications, which impair patients' lives. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of daily 3 mg subcutaneous (s/c) Liraglutide amongst obese non-diabetic patients in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of obese non-diabetic Saudi patients with obesity managed with s/c Liraglutide 3.0 mg who visited the outpatient clinic in Al Mashfa Hospital, Al Khobar, KSA during 2019-2021. We collected patient data from the electronic reporting system for different parameters. Body weight, hemoglobin A1c %, systolic and diastolic blood pressure mmHg were obtained at baseline and after the intervention. RESULTS: Records of 258 patients who were using a daily dose of Liraglutide 3.0 mg s/c for at least four months have been reviewed. The body weight loss of patients who used Liraglutide for four months was 8.1±0.8 kg. Moreover, around 204 patients continued for up to six months. Meanwhile, the mean body weight loss was 13 kg. There was a significant reduction of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) % by 0.43%. The majority of patients (94.5%) reported satisfaction with the treatment, while adverse events were mainly nausea, vomiting and constipation. CONCLUSION: Daily s/c Liraglutide of 3.0 mg is effective in producing significant body weight reduction in obese non-diabetic Saudi patients with tolerable minimal side effects and may provide health benefits in terms of reduced risk of obesity and its related outcomes.

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester reduces Pro Inflammatory Cytokines in Moderate Swimming Test in Growing Rats Model.

BACKGROUND: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic concentrated in propolis of honeybee hives. CAPE has been shown various physiological and pharmacologic properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAPE on proinflammatory markers in growing rats by performing the moderate swimming test. METHODS: A total number of 21 male Wistar albino rats were separated into three groups (n = 7): sedentary: negative control group; exercise: positive control group received vehicle orally and exercise + CAPE: CAPE treated group: treated with CAPE (20 mg/kg) orally 30 min before exercise, for 5 days. The animals were left free to swim in the tank, 20 minutes/day for 5 days. At 24 hours after finishing the experiment, rats were euthanised and blood was collected to analyze the level of serum interleukin IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). RESULTS: Growing rats subjected to the moderate swimming test and in those treated with CAPE showed a lower level of TNF-α compared to the negative control. More interestingly, the one-way ANOVA data demonstrated a decreased level of proinflammatory IL-6 in the CAPE-treated group compared to the negative control. CONCLUSION: Results of this study indicate that short-term administration of CAPE may modulate proinflammatory cytokine profiles during moderate exercise and may serve to boost the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term administration of CAPE as an adjective anti-inflammatory agent.

Alterations in manganese level in the biological samples of young obese Saudi women.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the changes in serum manganese levels in the nails of women with obesity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2019 at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, KSA. It was conducted in a convenience sample of 30 women with obesity and 40 without obesity. We obtained biological samples of nails from the participants and analysed these samples using a plasma atomic emission spectrometer to estimate the levels of manganese. A standard questionnaire containing items related to demographic features, such as address, age, education, and marital status, was used. In addition, the data on the usual consumption of water, milk, and soft drinks during a day or week, eating habits, and other health information were included in the questionnaire. RESULTS: The results of this study show that manganese levels are significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the group with obesity at 0.34 ± 0.06 mg/kg than in the group without obesity at 0.62 ± 0.02 mg/kg. Regular sports activity in a week and consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, and water are significant predictors of the levels of manganese in the body. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates a significant difference in the levels of manganese in the nails of obese participants compared to non-obese participants. Further studies are needed to determine whether Saudi women are at risk for manganese deficiency.

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Abuse among Gym Users, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

Background and Objectives: The main aim of the present study was to assess the use of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) and to investigate its potentially unfavorable effects among gym members attending gym fitness facilities in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out during the summer of 2017. Male gym users in the Eastern Province region of Saudi Arabia were the respondents. Information on socio-demographics, use of AAS, knowledge, and awareness about its side effects were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of AAS consumption among trainees in Eastern Province was 21.3%. The percentage was highest among those 26-30 years of age (31.9%), followed by the 21-25 (27.4%) (p = 0.003) age group. Participants in the study were not aware of the potential adverse effects of AAS use. Adverse effects experienced by 77% of AAS users include psychiatric problems (47%), acne (32.7%), hair loss (14.2%), and sexual dysfunction (10.7%). Moreover, it appears that trainers and friends are major sources (75.20%) for obtaining AAS. Conclusion: AAS abuse is a real problem among gym members, along with a lack of knowledge regarding its adverse effects. Health education and awareness programs are needed not only for trainees, but also for trainers and gym owners as they are reportedly some of the primary sources of AAS.

Blood Pressure and Cardio-Metabolic Risk Profile in Young Saudi Males in a University Setting.

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) poses significant clinical and public health challenges across the world. This study aimed to study the metabolic risk factors and the association with blood pressure alteration. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2017 and 2018 among 284 male university students in Eastern province, Saudi Arabia. The obesity and cardiovascular measurements were taken using standardized instruments, including blood pressure (BP), mean arterial pressure, body mass index (BMI), body adiposity index (BAI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage (BFP), and basal metabolic rate (BMR). Statistical Analysis: Blood pressure was classified according to the United States of America, Sixth Joint National committee (JNC-VI) guidelines. The mean and standard error were calculated for each hypertension group variable. Logistic regression was applied to predict associations. Results: The prevalence of hypertension in the present study was 61.6%., and that of overweight and obesity was 16.5% and 34.9%, respectively. The cut-off values of BMI and WC were 22.23 and 75.24, respectively. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR significantly predict hypertension and that WC has a greater discrimination capacity than other measures. The findings also emphasize the importance of cardiovascular risk screening for young adults to detect any alterations in blood pressure and thus identify the population that is vulnerable to CVDs at an early stage. The findings highlight the need for health and university policymakers to adopt measures to monitor and control hypertension and obesity at the university level.