Impact of triglycerides and waist circumference on insulin resistance and ß-cell function in non-diabetic first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Although there is abundant evidence indicating the relative contribution of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and ß-cell dysfunction (HOMA-ß) among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of Type 2 DM patients, few studies reported the association between HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß with metabolic syndrome. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of metabolic syndrome factors on HOMA-IR, HOMA-ß and glycoproteins in non-diabetic FDRs. METHODS: In this study, 103 Yemeni male subjects aged 25-42 years, with BMI < 25 kg/m2 were examined, 39 of whom were normal subjects with no family history of diabetes served as control and 64 subjects were non-diabetic FDRs of Type 2 DM patients. RESULTS: Both glycoproteins, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fructosamine as well as insulin, HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß were significantly (p = 4.9 × 10-9; 6.0 × 10-8; 6.6 × 10-12; 1.3 × 10-7; 5.5 × 10-12, respectively) higher in non-diabetic FDRs as compared to control group. Fasting plasma glucose, though within normal range, were significantly (p = 0.026) higher in non-diabetic FDRs. Linear regression analysis showed that both TG and WC are the main metabolic syndrome factors that significantly increased HOMA-IR (B = 0.334, p = 1.97 × 10-6; B = 0.024, p = 1.05 × 10-5), HOMA-ß (B = 16.8, p = 6.8 × 10-5; B = 0.95, p = 0.004), insulin (B = 16.5, p = 1.2 × 10-6; B = 1.19, p = 8.3 × 10-6) and HbA1c (B = 0.001, p = 0.034; B = 0.007, p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Triglyceride and WC are the important metabolic syndrome factors associated with insulin resistance, basal ß-cell function and insulin levels in non-diabetic FDR men of Type 2 DM patients. Moreover, FDRs showed insulin resistance with compensatory ß-cell function (hyperinsulinaemia) suggesting that insulin resistance precede the development of pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction in individuals at risk of Type 2 DM.

Does vitamin A supplementation protect schoolchildren from acquiring soil-transmitted helminthiasis? A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the intensive global efforts to control intestinal parasitic infections, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections is still very high in many developing countries particularly among children in rural areas. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 250 Aboriginal schoolchildren in Malaysia to investigate the effects of a single high-dose of vitamin A supplementation (200,000 IU) on STH reinfection. The effect of the supplement was assessed at 3 and 6 months after receiving interventions; after a complete 3-day deworming course of 400 mg/daily of albendazole tablets. RESULTS: Almost all children (98.6%) were infected with at least one STH species. The overall prevalence of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection was 67.8%, 95.5% and 13.4%, respectively. Reinfection rates of Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm were high; at 6 months, assessment reached 80% of the prevalence reported before treatment. There were no significant differences in the reinfection rates and intensities of STH between vitamin A supplemented-children and those who received placebo at 3 and 6 months (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A supplementation showed no protective effect against STH reinfection and this could be due to the high endemicity of STH in this community. Long-term interventions to reduce poverty will help significantly in reducing this continuing problem and there is no doubt that reducing intestinal parasitic infection would have a positive impact on the health, nutrition and education of these children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00936091.

Effects of vitamin A supplementation on iron status indices and iron deficiency anaemia: a randomized controlled trial.

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world including developed and developing countries. Despite intensive efforts to improve the quality of life of rural and aboriginal communities in Malaysia, anaemia and IDA are still major public health problems in these communities particularly among children. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 250 Orang Asli (aboriginal) schoolchildren in Malaysia to investigate the effects of a single high-dose of vitamin A supplementation (200,000 IU) on iron status indices, anaemia and IDA status. The effect of the supplement was assessed after 3 months of receiving the supplements; after a complete 3-day deworming course of 400 mg/day of albendazole tablets. The prevalence of anaemia was found to be high: 48.5% (95% CI=42.3, 54.8). Moreover, 34% (95% CI=28.3, 40.2) of the children had IDA, which accounted for 70.1% of the anaemic cases. The findings showed that the reduction in serum ferritin level and the increments in haemoglobin, serum iron and transferrin saturation were found to be significant among children allocated to the vitamin A group compared to those allocated to the placebo group (p<0.01). Moreover, a significant reduction in the prevalence of IDA by almost 22% than prevalence at baseline was reported among children in the vitamin A group compared with only 2.3% reduction among children in the placebo group. In conclusion, vitamin A supplementation showed a significant impact on iron status indices and IDA among Orang Asli children. Hence, providing vitamin A supplementation and imparting the knowledge related to nutritious food should be considered in the efforts to improve the nutritional and health status of these children as a part of efforts to improve the quality of life in rural and aboriginal communities.