Prevalence of overweight and underweight in schoolchildren in Constantine, Algeria: comparison of four reference cut-off points for body mass index.

BACKGROUND: Algeria is experiencing a nutritional transition and increasing overweight in children. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and underweight in children aged 6-10 years in Constantine city, Algeria using four international reference cut-offs for body mass index. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2015 with a sample of 509 schoolchildren aged 6-10 years. Height and weight were measured according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The body mass index cut-offs of WHO, International Obesity Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and French national references were used to classify the sample as underweight and overweight according to age and sex. The kappa coefficient was used to assess agreement between the reference cut-offs. RESULTS: Based on the of different reference cut-offs, the prevalence of underweight in the children varied from 1.4% to 8.8%. The prevalence of overweight varied from 22.8% to 28.3%. The WHO cut-off gave a significantly higher prevalence of overweight in boys than girls (32.6% versus 24.0%, P = 0.03). The kappa values (between 0.251 and 0.954) indicated a fair to excellent agreement between the different reference cut-offs. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight and underweight differs in the Constantine children depending on the reference cut-off used, suggesting international references should be used with care to avoid potential misclassification of children's nutritional status.

Bile acid receptor TGR5 is critically involved in preference for dietary lipids and obesity.

We investigated the implication of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) in fat preference and fat sensing in taste bud cells (TBC) in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and TGR5 knock out (TGR5-/-) male mice maintained for 20 weeks on a high-fat diet (HFD). We also assessed the implication of TGR5 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in young obese humans. The high-fat diet (HFD)-fed TGR5-/- mice were more obese, marked with higher liver weight, lipidemia and steatosis than WT obese mice. The TGR5-/- obese mice exhibited high daily food/energy intake, fat mass and inflammatory status. WT obese mice lost the preference for dietary fat, but the TGR5-/- obese mice exhibited no loss towards the attraction for lipids. In lingual TBC, the fatty acid-triggered Ca2+ signaling was decreased in WT obese mice; however, it was increased in TBC from TGR5-/- obese mice. Fatty acid-induced in vitro release of GLP-1 was higher, but PYY concentrations were lower, in TBC from TGR5-/- obese mice than those in WT obese mice. We noticed an association between obesity and variations in TGR5 rs11554825 SNP. Finally, we can state that TGR5 modulates fat eating behavior and obesity.

[Relationships between umbilical vein and mother iron status].

INTRODUCTION: Iron is an essential micronutrient in the growing fetus. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to find the possible correlations that may exist between maternal and fetal iron status and newborn weight. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 97 mothers scheduled to give birth by elective caesarean section in the central maternity of Tébessa (east of Algeria) between January and August 2014. The blood collection was sampled from the antecubital vein of the mother and the umbilical vein. The mean concentrations of parameters in maternal and fetal sides, respectively, were 10.64 ± 1.37 g/dl and 14.83 ± 1.79 g/dl for hemoglobin, 51.57 ± 20.82 µg/dl and 112.47 ± 32.34 µg/dl for serum iron, and 12.37 ± 9.58 ng/ml and 109.64 ± 58.76 ng/ml for serum ferritin. Except for ferritin, other fetal parameters were correlated with those of mothers. Birth weight was only significantly correlated with maternal hemoglobin (r = 0.22, p = 0.02) and hematocrit (r = 0.2, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The fetal-maternal exchanges of iron were highlighted and iron status of the newborn was linked to that of the mother. The low maternal hemoglobin was associated with low newborn weight.

Relationships between umbilical vein and mother iron status / Las relaciones entre la vena umbilical y el estado de hierro en la madre

Introduction: Iron is an essential micronutrient in the growing fetus. Objective: The purpose of this study is to fi nd the possible correlations that may exist between maternal and fetal iron status and newborn weight. Material and methods: The study included 97 mothers scheduled to give birth by elective caesarean section in the central maternity of Tébessa (east of Algeria) between January and August 2014. The blood collection was sampled from the antecubital vein of the mother and the umbilical vein. The mean concentrations of parameters in maternal and fetal sides, respectively, were 10.64 ± 1.37 g/dl and 14.83 ± 1.79 g/ dl for hemoglobin, 51.57 ± 20.82 μg/dl and 112.47 ± 32.34 μg/dl for serum iron, and 12.37 ± 9.58 ng/ml and 109.64 ± 58.76 ng/ml for serum ferritin. Except for ferritin, other fetal parameters were correlated with those of mothers. Birth weight was only significantly correlated with maternal hemoglobin (r = 0.22, p = 0.02) and hematocrit (r = 0.2, p = 0.004). Conclusion: The fetal-maternal exchanges of iron were highlighted and iron status of the newborn was linked to that of the mother. The low maternal hemoglobin was associated with low newborn weight (AU)

Introducción: el hierro es un micronutriente esencial en el crecimiento del feto. Objetivo: el propósito de este estudio es conocer las posibles correlaciones que puedan existir entre el estado en hierro de la madre y del feto, y el peso del recién nacido. Material y métodos: el estudio incluyó a 97 madres programadas para dar a luz por cesárea electiva en la maternidad central de Tébessa (este de Argelia) entre enero y agosto de 2014. En la extracción de sangre se tomaron muestras de la vena antecubital de la madre y de la vena umbilical. Las concentraciones medias de los parámetros maternos y fetales, respectivamente, fueron 10,64 ± 1,37 g/dl y 14,83 ± 1,79 g/dl de hemoglobina, 51,57 ± 20,82 mg/dl y 112,47 ± 32,34 mg/dl para el hierro sérico y 12,37 ± 9,58 ng/ml y 109,64 ± 58,76 ng/ml para la ferritina sérica. A excepción de la ferritina, los otros parámetros fetales se correlacionaron con los de la madre. El peso al nacer solo se correlacionó signifi cativamente con la hemoglobina materna (r = 0,22; p = 0,02) y el hematocrito (r = 0,2; p = 0,004). Conclusión: se pusieron de relieve los intercambios materno-fetales de hierro y el estado de hierro en el recién nacido se mostró ligado al de la madre. La hemoglobina materna baja se asoció con un bajo peso del recién nacido (AU)

Preventive and curative effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds in C57BL/6J models of type 2 diabetes induced by high-fat diet.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (TFG) is traditionally used to treat diabetes in North Africa. we therefore tested the effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of TFG seeds in a C57/BL6J mouse model of diabetes induced by a standardised high-fat diet (HFD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant extracts (2 g/kg daily) were administered orally by gavage at the start of HFD, or after confirmation of established diabetes (17th week), for 20 or 18 weeks, respectively, to male C57BL/6J mice. Animals were weighed; food intake and plasma glucose, lipid profile, insulin and insulin resistance were measured. RESULTS: TFG extracts opposed the development of diabetes: compared with untreated HFD mice, TFG-treated HFD mice had lower mean (± SD) plasma glucose (129.3 ± 39.4 vs. 183.1 ± 19.1mg/dL, p<0.05), plasma insulin (1.3 ± 0.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.8 ng/mL, p<0.05) and triglycerides (18.9 ± 12.9 vs. 48.9 ± 12.1mg/dL, p<0.05), and less insulin resistance as estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA: 9.7 ± 11.1 vs. 38.3 ± 26.6, p<0.05). In mice with established diabetes, TFG reduced fasting plasma glucose (170.4 ± 24.1 vs. 229.0 ± 20.8 mg/dL, p<0.05), plasma insulin (1.7 ± 1.3 vs. 3.3 ± 14.3 ng/mL, p<0.05) and insulin resistance (HOMA: TFG: 19.2 ± 15.7 vs. HFD control: 38.5 ± 30.3, p<0.05). In addition, administration of TFG extract also caused significant reduction in triglycerides (17.9 ± 9.7 vs. 62.8 ± 18.3 mg/dL, p<0.05) and total cholesterol (1.30 ± 0.20 vs. 1.80 ± 1.10 g/L, p<0.05), and an increase in HDL-cholesterol (1.6 ± 0.2 vs. 1.2 ± 0.1 g/L). The plant extract had no effect on calorie intake or body weight. CONCLUSION: TFG extract opposed the development of experimental HFD diabetes in mice, and had an anti-diabetic effect in mice with established diabetes.

Treatment of high fat diet induced type 2 diabetes in C57BL/6J mice by two medicinal plants used in traditional treatment of diabetes in the east of Algeria.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Hydro-alcoholic extracts of Centaurium erythraea Rafn (CE), Gentianaceae and Artemisia herba-alba Asso (AHA), Asteraceae, medicinal plants used in traditional treatment of diabetes in north-eastern Algeria, were tested in established type 2 diabetes induced with a standardized high fat diet (HFD) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After confirmation of diabetes (17th week), plant extracts were administered orally by gavage at a dose of 2 g/kg daily for 18 weeks to male C57BL/6J mice fed HFD. Animals were weighed, food intake and plasma glucose measured weekly, insulin and lipid profile at study end. RESULTS: At 35 weeks, groups treated with AHA or CE vs. HFD control had a significant reduction in mean (±SD) fasting blood glucose concentrations (143.8±23.9 and 139.5±14.2 vs. 229.0±20.8 mg/dL, p<0.05, respectively), triglyceride (18.9±11.1 and 16.0±6.5 vs. 62.8±18.3 mg/dL, p<0.05), total cholesterol (1.2±0.1 and 1.2±0.3 vs. 1.8±1.1 g/L, p<0.05) and serum insulin concentrations (1.7±0.7 and 0.9±0.7 vs. 3.3±14.3 ng/mL, p<0.05). Plant extracts also markedly reduced insulin resistance as compared to HFD controls (AHA: 15.6±9.1, CE: 9.0±7.7 vs. HFD control 38.5±30.3, p<0.05). The plant extracts decreased calorie intake and had little effect on body weight or HDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSION: AHA has already been shown to have a antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidemic effect but this is the first demonstration of an effect of AHA and CE on established HFD-induced diabetes.

Prevention of type 2 diabetes induced by high fat diet in the C57BL/6J mouse by two medicinal plants used in traditional treatment of diabetes in the east of Algeria.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The preventive effect of the hydro-alcoholic extracts of Artemisia herba-alba Asso (AHA), and Centaurium erythraea Rafn (CE), two medicinal plants used in traditional treatment of diabetes in the north-eastern Algeria, were evaluated in animal models of type 2 diabetic induced with a standardised high fat diet (HFD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant extracts were administered orally by gavage at a dose of 2g/kg bodyweight daily for 20 weeks to male C57BL/6J mice fed HFD. Animals were weighed and plasma glucose measured weekly and insulin at the end of study using standard ELISA methods. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, blood glucose levels increased in HFD control mice. At end of study (20 weeks) in groups treated with AHA or CE extracts vs. HFD control group there was a significant reduction in mean (+/-SD) fasting blood glucose (respectively 108.0+/-42.0 and 120.4+/-45.1 vs. 183.1+/-19.1mg/dl, p<0.05), triglyceride concentrations (26.9+/-6.7 and 27.9+/-17.8 vs. 48.9+/-12.1mg/dl, p<0.05) and serum insulin levels (1.1+/-1.0 and 0.6+/-0.7 vs. 3.1+/-1.8 ng/ml, p<0.05). Plant extracts also markedly reduced insulin resistance as measured by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) compared to HFD controls (AHA: 4.4+/-5.3, CE: 3.0+/-3.3 vs. HFD control 38.3+/-26.6, p<0.05). The plant extracts had no effect on calorie intake or body weight. CONCLUSION: AHA had been shown to have a hypoglycaemic effect in diabetes but this is the first demonstration of a preventive effect of AHA and CE on HFD-induced diabetes.

Changes in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and thinness in Algerian children between 2001 and 2006.

Annual cross-sectional studies were performed between 2001 and 2006 in Algeria in order to evaluate the nutritional status and determine the changes in prevalence of categories of nutritional status, according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria for overweight and obesity and Cole's criteria for thinness. A total of 19 263 children aged 6 to 10 years originating from three economically different areas were enrolled in the study. The overall prevalence of thinness decreased from 34.3% (95% CI: 32.4-36.2) to 24.5% (95% CI: 22.6-26.4) (p<0.0001). Overweight, including obesity, increased from 6.8% (95% CI: 5.7-7.8) to 9.5% (95% CI: 8.2-10.8) (p=0.001) mainly due to overweight excluding obesity. Children in urban areas showed the most marked decrease in thinness and increase in overweight as opposed to those from rural areas where overweight and obesity remained stable over time.