Hb A2-Pistoia [δ89(F5)Ser→Asn, HBD: c.269G>a]: a Novel Mutation on the δ-Globin Gene in an Italian Child.

We describe a new hemoglobin (Hb) variant, found in a 6-year-old Italian male living in Pistoia, Italy. An abnormal pattern compatible with a Hb A2 variant was observed on capillary electrophoresis (CE); direct sequencing revealed a transition at codon 89 of the δ gene (HBD: c.269G>A) changing serine into asparagine. The variant was also identified as Hb A2-Pistoia according to the traditional nomenclature and no other globin defect was present. The observation and description of this Hb A2 variant contributes to the number and heterogeneity of mutations of the δ-globin gene in the Mediterranean Area.

Annona cherimola Miller Fruit as a Promising Candidate against Diabetic Complications: An In Vitro Study and Preliminary Clinical Results.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease with a strong social impact worldwide. Under chronic hyperglycemia, protein glycation strongly contributes to diabetes-related complications onset. Anti-glycation agents and inhibitors of α-glucosidase are often therapeutically used to control postprandial glycemia in order to prevent development of long-term diabetic complications. Given drug resistance and adverse effects of conventional antidiabetic therapies, the discovery of new effective and non-toxic naturally occurring compounds is needed to prevent and/or to manage life-threatening diabetic complications. Annona cherimola Miller fruit has been used in Mexican traditional medicine as natural remedy against diabetes. In this work, the in vitro anti-glycation and anti-α-glucosidase roles of Annona cherimola Miller pulp extract (CE) were investigated. Moreover, healthy and diabetic subjects were enrolled in a cross-over design intervention study aimed at investigating the effects of pulp intake on postprandial glycemia. This work shows that CE was able to inhibit albumin glycation in vitro and to inhibit α-glucosidase enzyme. Furthermore, the pulp intake did not contribute to an increase in postprandial glycemia, making it a suitable source of health-promoting phytonutrients and a potential functional food in diabetics and pre-diabetics diet.