Effect of Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché on glutathione level and glycosylated hemoglobin percentage in a Mexican rural population with type 2 diabetes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE: Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché fruit is widely used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D) because it has been attributed with antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties in different experimental models and T2D patients. An imbalance in physiological glutathione (GSH) concentrations increases the susceptibility to developing complications associated with oxidative stress in T2D patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of C. ficifolia on the antioxidant properties of GSH, general health measurements, and biochemical parameters in a Mexican rural population, and to evaluate the changes in socio-affective scores of patients due to improvement in T2D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven women diagnosed with T2D with poor glycemic control volunteered and were divided into two groups: C. ficifolia (0.5 g/kg of fresh pulp weight) with hypoglycemic pharmacotherapy, and another group with only hypoglycemic pharmacotherapy, for 12 weeks. We evaluated the effect of the fresh pulp of C. ficifolia on body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and GSH. Expanding the study, we evaluated the quality of life, anxiety, and depression scores before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Treatment with the fresh pulp of C. ficifolia for 12 weeks reduced glycosylated hemoglobin, similar to the hypoglycemic pharmacotherapy group, and significantly increased GSH concentrations. The patients' moods did not change despite increased GSH concentrations and improved T2D control. CONCLUSIONS: The increased GSH concentrations due to the consumption of fresh pulp of C. ficifolia could help to protect against oxidative stress and extend therapeutic benefits in addition to the usual hypoglycemic drugs in patients with T2D.

TPH2-703 G/T polymorphism is associated with stress, depression, and psychosocial symptoms in mentally healthy Mexicans.

Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of serotonin synthesis. TPH2 is the brain-specific isoform of this enzyme, and genetic variations in the TPH2 gene have been shown to impact its transcription and enzymatic activity and are associated with mood disorders. In this study we focused on the rs4570625 (-703G/T) single nucleotide polymorphism of TPH2 gene. By using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we examined the effect of this polymorphism on stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms as well as quality of life, evaluated based on the Holmes-Rahe Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Short Version, respectively. We found that individuals with the homozygous recessive T/T genotype had lower stress and depression scores. In addition, the quality of life in the psychological health domain was better in males with the T/T genotype. These results suggest that T/T genotype could decrease the susceptibility to developing stress and depression in the Mexican population without a diagnosis for an emotional disorder.

[Hematologic and nutritional states are associated with the development of preeclampsia in a Mexican population]. / Los estados hematológico y nutricional se asocian con el desarrollo de preeclampsia en una población mexicana.

Introduction: Introduction: nutrient and trace element deficiency are risk factors for the development of preeclampsia; these nutrients induce changes in the hematologic state, which can be used to prevent complications during pregnancy. Objective: this research will analyze the nutritional and hematological status during the 3 trimesters of gestation in pregnant women with preeclampsia to evaluate its association with gestational alterations. Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytic study was conducted on 78 pregnant women who attended a prenatal control clinic, 11 of whom were diagnosed with preeclampsia. The hematological parameters were determined through hematometry. To get the nutritional intake profile of the pregnant women, a frequency of food consumption questionnaire was used. Results: the normotensive group´s arterial pressure (PA) was significantly lower than that of pregnant women with preeclampsia. The hematological profile changed during pregnancy, and platelet value was much higher in preeclamptic women. The nutritional status of pregnant women in the third trimester consumed more macronutrients and micronutrients than in the first and second trimesters, and this pattern was observed in pregnant women with preeclampsia. When compared to pregnant women with preeclampsia, normotensive women received more minerals and vitamins. Conclusion: hematological values are modified during each trimester of gestation, and pregnant women with preeclampsia had high platelet values compared to normotensive women. Our data show a greater intake of minerals and vitamins in normotensive pregnant women as compared to those who developed preeclampsia; therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women be provided with nutritional guidance in order to prevent pregnant complications.

Introducción: Introducción: la insuficiencia de nutrientes y elementos traza son factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de preeclampsia; estos nutrientes pueden provocar cambios en el estado hematológico que pueden usarse para la prevención de complicaciones durante la gestación. Objetivo: la presente investigación analizará el estado nutrimental y hematológico durante los 3 trimestres de gestación en mujeres gestantes con preeclampsia para evaluar su relación con esta alteración gestacional. Método: se realizó un estudio transversal, descriptivo y analítico en 78 gestantes que acudían a control prenatal, 11 de ellas diagnosticadas de preeclampsia. Los parámetros hematológicos fueron determinados por cartometría hemática. Se aplicó un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos para obtener el perfil de ingesta de nutrientes de las gestantes. Resultados: la presión arterial (PA) del grupo de normotensas fue significativamente menor en comparación con las gestantes con preeclampsia. El perfil hematológico varía durante la gestación y el valor de plaquetas fue significativamente más alto en las gestantes con preeclampsia. El estado nutrimental de las gestantes en el tercer trimestre tuvo mayor consumo de macronutrientes y micronutrientes comparado con el primero y el segundo trimestres de gestación; este mismo patrón se observó en las gestantes con preeclampsia. Las gestantes normotensas tuvieron un mayor aporte de minerales y de vitaminas con respecto a las gestantes con preeclampsia. Conclusión: los valores hematológicos se modifican durante cada trimestre de gestación. Las gestantes con preeclampsia tuvieron valores altos de plaquetas comparadas con las normotensas. Nuestros datos muestran un mayor aporte de minerales y vitaminas en las gestantes normotensas comparadas con aquellas que han desarrollado preeclampsia, por lo que se recomienda que la atención de las gestantes se acompañe de orientación nutrimental para prevenir complicaciones.

Association Between Socio-Affective Symptoms and Glutathione and CD4 and CD8 Lymphocytes in College Students.

Background: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in young students is associated with biosocial factors and scholastic stress. However, few studies have evaluated emotional-affective symptoms that are related to the immune system and antioxidant parameters in young individuals without diagnoses of affective disorders. Aim: This study aims to assess the relationship between emotional-affective symptoms and glutathione concentrations and CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts in college students. Methods: College students (n = 177) completed standardized psychometric instruments, including the Perceived Stress Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Familiar Social and Friends Support Scale, and Rosenberg Scale. Blood samples were biochemically analyzed. Analyses of variance were conducted between four groups according to symptom severity. Results: A considerable prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms was observed and negatively correlated with self-esteem and socio-familiar support. Perceived stress was sexually dimorphic. Although biochemical parameters were within reference ranges, glutathione, CD4, and CD8 tended to be lower in participants with anxiety and depression symptoms, which may be of predictive value. Conclusion: The relationship between antioxidant/immune parameters and socio-affective scores is latent in undiagnosed college students who might develop affective disorders. The findings suggest that during the initial development of affective disorders, stress management strategies should be implemented to help college students cope with the academic load and monitor negative changes in their physiological state.