Redox and biometal status in Wistar rats after subacute exposure to fluoride and selenium counter-effects.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of 150 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF) on redox status parameters and essential metals [copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn)] in the blood, liver, kidney, brain, and spleen of Wistar rats and to determine the protective potential of selenium (Se) against fluoride (F-) toxicity. Male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in groups of five (n=5) receiving tap water (control) or water with NaF 150 mg/L, NaF 150 mg/L + Se 1.5 mg/L, and Se 1.5 mg/L solutions ad libitum for 28 days. Fluorides caused an imbalance in the redox and biometal (Cu, Fe, and Zn) status, leading to high superoxide anion (O2 .-) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the blood and brain and a drop in superoxide dismutase (SOD1) activity in the liver and its increase in the brain and kidneys. Se given with NaF improved MDA, SOD1, and O2 .- in the blood, brain, and kidneys, while alone it decreased SH group levels in the liver and kidney. Biometals both reduced and increased F- toxicity. Further research is needed before Se should be considered as a promising strategy for mitigating F- toxicity.

Follicular and serum levels of vitamin D in women with unexplained infertility and their relationship with in vitro fertilization outcome: an observational pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Follicular and serum vitamin D are considered potential markers of the oocyte and embryos' quality and predictors of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study correlated vitamin D in sera and follicular fluid of women with unexplained infertility mutually and with IVF outcomes. ELISA was used for measuring vitamin D. RESULTS: The results show positive correlation only between follicular and serum levels of vitamin D (Rho = 0.615, p = 0.025), and between follicular levels of vitamin D and the percentage of embryo fragmentation (Rho = 0.544; p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that serum and follicular fluid vitamin D measurements could be complementary tools to the routine assessment of embryos.

Leptin and Obesity: Role and Clinical Implication.

The peptide hormone leptin regulates food intake, body mass, and reproductive function and plays a role in fetal growth, proinflammatory immune responses, angiogenesis and lipolysis. Leptin is a product of the obese (ob) gene and, following synthesis and secretion from fat cells in white adipose tissue, binds to and activates its cognate receptor, the leptin receptor (LEP-R). LEP-R distribution facilitates leptin's pleiotropic effects, playing a crucial role in regulating body mass via a negative feedback mechanism between adipose tissue and the hypothalamus. Leptin resistance is characterized by reduced satiety, over-consumption of nutrients, and increased total body mass. Often this leads to obesity, which reduces the effectiveness of using exogenous leptin as a therapeutic agent. Thus, combining leptin therapies with leptin sensitizers may help overcome such resistance and, consequently, obesity. This review examines recent data obtained from human and animal studies related to leptin, its role in obesity, and its usefulness in obesity treatment.

Effects of Gentiana lutea Root on Vascular Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Gentiana lutea (GL), commonly known as yellow gentian, bitter root, and bitterwort, belongs to family Gentianaceae. GL belongs to genus Gentiana, which is a rich natural source of iridoids, secoiridoids, xantones, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and carbohydrates. Medicinal plants from Gentiana species have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mitogenic, anti-proliferative, and lipidlowering effects, as well as a cardioprotective, hypotensive, vasodilator and anti-platelet activities. OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the recent literature related to the effects of Gentiana species, and their active components on vascular diseases. METHODS: Data used for this review were obtained by searching the electronic database [PUBMED/ MEDLINE 1973 - February 2020]. The primary data search terms of interest were: Gentiana lutea, Gentienacea family, phytochemistry, vascular diseases, treatment of vascular diseases, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic. CONCLUSION: Gentiana species and their constituents affect many different factors related to vascular disease development and progression. Therefore, Gentiana-based therapeutics represent potentially useful drugs for the management of vascular diseases.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Vascular Complications in Diabetes Mellitus.

Vascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are common. Since impaired oxygen balance in plasma plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic DM-associated complications, the administration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been recommended to influence development of vascular complications. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves inhalation of 100% oxygen under elevated pressure from 1.6 to 2.8 absolute atmospheres in hyperbaric chambers. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases plasma oxygen solubility, contributing to better oxygen diffusion to distant tissues and preservation of the viability of tissues reversibly damaged by atherosclerosis-induced ischemia, along with microcirculation restoration. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy exerts antiatherogenic, antioxidant, and cardioprotective effects by altering the level and composition of plasma fatty acids and also by promoting signal transduction through membranes, which are impaired by hyperglycemia and hypoxia. In addition, HBOT affects molecules involved in the regulation of nitric oxide synthesis and in that way exerts anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects in patients with DM. In this review, we explore the recent literature related to the effects of HBOT on DM-related vascular complications.

Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Fatty Acid Composition and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 in Adult Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic changes in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) impair vasodilation, and this leads to tissue hypoxia and microvascular pathology. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly improve the outcome of ischemic conditions in T1DM patients and reduce vascular complications. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of HBOT on plasma fatty acid (FA) composition, and expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) in T1DM patients. METHODS: Our study included 24 adult T1DM patients diagnosed with peripheral vascular complications. The patients were exposed to 10 sessions of 100% oxygen inhalation at 2.4 atmosphere absolute for 1 hour. Blood samples were collected at admission and after HBOT for measurement of metabolic parameters, FA composition and IGFBP-1. Measurement of plasma FA composition was determined by gas chromatography. Expression of IGFBP-1 in the serum was estimated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: HBOT decreased blood levels of total cholesterol (p<0.05), triglycerides (p<0.05) and low-density lipoprotein (p<0.05). HBOT increased plasma levels of individual FAs: palmitic acid (p<0.05), palmitoleic acid (p<0.05), docosapentaenoic acid (p<0.05) and docosahexaenoic acid (p<0.01), and decreased levels of stearic acid (p<0.05), alpha linolenic acid (p<0.05) and linoleic acid (p<0.01). Expression of IGFBP-1 (p<0.01) was increased, whereas the level of insulin (p<0.001) was decreased in the serum after HBOT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that HBOT exerts beneficial effects in T1DM patients by improving the lipid profile and altering FA composition.