miR-21, miR-221, miR-29 and miR-34 are distinguishable molecular features of a metabolically unhealthy phenotype in young adults.

Discrepancies between the measurement of body mass index (BMI) and metabolic health status have been described for the onset of metabolic diseases. Studying novel biomarkers, some of which are associated with metabolic syndrome, can help us to understand the differences between metabolic health (MetH) and BMI. A group of 1469 young adults with pre-specified anthropometric and blood biochemical parameters were selected. Of these, 80 subjects were included in the downstream analysis that considered their BMI and MetH parameters for selection as follows: norm weight metabolically healthy (MHNW) or metabolically unhealthy (MUNW); overweight/obese metabolically healthy (MHOW) or metabolically unhealthy (MUOW). Our results showed for the first time the differences when the MetH status and the BMI are considered as global MetH statures. First, all the evaluated miRNAs presented a higher expression in the metabolically unhealthy group than the metabolically healthy group. The higher levels of leptin, IL-1b, IL-8, IL-17A, miR-221, miR-21, and miR-29 are directly associated with metabolic unhealthy and OW/OB phenotypes (MUOW group). In contrast, high levels of miR34 were detected only in the MUNW group. We found differences in the SIRT1-PGC1α pathway with increased levels of SIRT1+ cells and diminished mRNA levels of PGCa in the metabolically unhealthy compared to metabolically healthy subjects. Our results demonstrate that even when metabolic diseases are not apparent in young adult populations, MetH and BMI have a distinguishable phenotype print that signals the potential to develop major metabolic diseases.

Genetic risk score for insulin resistance based on gene variants associated to amino acid metabolism in young adults.

Circulating concentration of arginine, alanine, aspartate, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, taurine and valine are increased in subjects with insulin resistance, which could in part be attributed to the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within genes associated with amino acid metabolism. Thus, the aim of this work was to develop a Genetic Risk Score (GRS) for insulin resistance in young adults based on SNPs present in genes related to amino acid metabolism. We performed a cross-sectional study that included 452 subjects over 18 years of age. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters were assessed including measurement of serum amino acids by high performance liquid chromatography. Eighteen SNPs were genotyped by allelic discrimination. Of these, ten were found to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and only four were used to construct the GRS through multiple linear regression modeling. The GRS was calculated using the number of risk alleles of the SNPs in HGD, PRODH, DLD and SLC7A9 genes. Subjects with high GRS (≥ 0.836) had higher levels of glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment- insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol and triglycerides, and lower levels of arginine than subjects with low GRS (p < 0.05). The application of a GRS based on variants within genes associated to amino acid metabolism may be useful for the early identification of subjects at increased risk of insulin resistance.

Nutritional, biochemical, and clinical determinants of hyperuricemia in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Relationship with clinical and renal disease activity.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototypical autoimmune disease considered as an independent risk factor for mortality by cardiovascular disease. Currently, uric acid is described as a novel biomarker associated with cardiometabolic risk. However, nutritional and serum determinants that influence hyperuricemia development in autoimmune diseases have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to assess the nutritional, biochemical, and cardiometabolic determinants of hyperuricemia and its relationship with clinical variables in SLE patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 167 SLE patients and 195 control subjects (CS). Nutrient intake, anthropometry, biochemical, and cardiometabolic indexes were evaluated. In SLE patients, adequate protein (OR = 0.4; p = 0.04) and carbohydrate (OR = 0.2; p = 0.01) intakes were associated with a lower risk of hyperuricemia. SLE patients with hyperuricemia presented a higher risk of clinical (OR = 2.2; p = 0.03) and renal activity (OR = 3.4; p < 0.01), as well as triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (OR = 3.6; p < 0.01), hs-CRP ≥1 mg/L (OR = 3.1; p < 0.01), Kannel score ≥3 (OR = 2.5; p = 0.02), and BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (OR = 2.2; p = 0.02). Oppositely, serum levels of HDL-C ≥40 mg/dL (OR = 0.2; p < 0.01) were associated with a lower risk of hyperuricemia. According to the pharmacotherapy administered, prednisone treatment was associated with a high risk of hyperuricemia (OR = 4.7; p < 0.001). In contrast, the hydroxychloroquine treatment was associated with a lower risk of hyperuricemia (OR = 0.4; p = 0.02). In conclusion, SLE patients with hyperuricemia presented a high risk of clinical and renal activity as well as worse cardiometabolic status. Notably, an adequate intake of protein, carbohydrates, healthy HDL-C serum levels, and hydroxychloroquine treatment could be determinants of lower risk of hyperuricemia.

A preliminary study on health impacts of Mexican mercury mining workers in a context of precarious employment.

Mercury mining is one of the main sources of mercury (Hg) release into the environment, causing serious impacts on human health and the environment. Workers in these mines are employed informally and precariously and therefore lack labor rights such as social security. The objective of the study is to make visible the exposure to environmental contaminants and the health of workers in mercury mines. An environmental assessment was conducted to determine workers' exposure to contaminants; urine samples were obtained to measure exposure to mercury and arsenic, and blood samples were obtained for lead and cadmium. Clinical parameters were also evaluated. Concentrations of Hg, As and Pb were determined in soil, 279.4 mg/kg (24.4-788.5), 14.7 mg/kg (9.5-20.3) and 1.4 mg/kg (1-2.8), respectively. The exposure results for mercury were 551 µg/g creatinine, for arsenic 50 µg/L and for lead 4.7 µg/dL. Cd-B was not found. In addition, 17.6 % of the workers had diabetes and 17.6 % had renal disorders. Principal Component Regression was performed obtaining an r2 of 0.86 for glomerular filtration rate and 0.54 for albumin creatinine ratio using clinical, occupational, and metal exposure variables. Exposure to Hg in this type of mine is not exclusive, so there is a cumulative risk of chronic exposure to different environmental pollutants directly impacting the health of workers. It is necessary to implement health strategies and different work opportunities for these workers.

Association of BCAT2 and BCKDH polymorphisms with clinical, anthropometric and biochemical parameters in young adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Circulating amino acids are modified by sex, body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance (IR). However, whether the presence of genetic variants in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolic enzymes modifies circulating amino acids is still unknown. Thus, we determined the frequency of two genetic variants, one in the branched-chain aminotransferase 2 (BCAT2) gene (rs11548193), and one in the branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) gene (rs45500792), and elucidated their impact on circulating amino acid levels together with clinical, anthropometric and biochemical parameters. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a cross-sectional comparative study in which we recruited 1612 young adults (749 women and 863 men) aged 19.7 ± 2.1 years and with a BMI of 24.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2. Participants underwent clinical evaluation and provided blood samples for DNA extraction and biochemical analysis. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined by allelic discrimination using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The frequencies of the less common alleles were 15.2 % for BCAT2 and 9.83 % for BCKDH. The subjects with either the BCAT2 or BCKDH SNPs displayed no differences in the evaluated parameters compared with subjects homozygotes for the most common allele at each SNP. However, subjects with both SNPs had higher body weight, BMI, blood pressure, glucose, and circulating levels of aspartate, isoleucine, methionine, and proline than the subjects homozygotes for the most common allele (P < 0.05, One-way ANOVA). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the joint presence of both the BCAT2 rs11548193 and BCKDH rs45500792 SNPs induces metabolic alterations that are not observed in subjects without either SNP.

Bioremoval of Cobalt(II) from Aqueous Solution by Three Different and Resistant Fungal Biomasses.

The biosorption of Co(II) on three fungal biomasses: Paecilomyces sp., Penicillium sp., and Aspergillus niger, was studied in this work. The fungal biomass of Paecilomyces sp. showed the best results, since it removes 93% at 24 h of incubation, while the biomasses of Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger are less efficient, since they remove the metal 77.5% and 70%, respectively, in the same time of incubation, with an optimum pH of removal for the three analyzed biomasses of 5.0 ± 0.2 at 28°C. Regarding the temperature of incubation, the most efficient biomass was that of Paecilomyces sp., since it removes 100%, at 50°C, while the biomasses of Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger remove 97.1% and 94.1%, at the same temperature, in 24 hours of incubation. On the contrary, if the concentration of the metal is increased, the removal capacity for the three analyzed biomasses decreases; if the concentration of the bioadsorbent is increased, the removal of the metal also increases. It was observed that, after 4 and 7 days of incubation, 100%, 100%, and 96.4% of Co(II) present in naturally contaminated water were removed, respectively.

Expression of CD73 and A2A receptors in cells from subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Regulatory T cells have various mechanisms to suppress the inflammatory response, among these, the modulation of the microenvironment through adenosine and with the participation of CD39, CD73 and A2A. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of CD73 and A2A in immune cells and the effect of activation of A2A by an adenosine analogue on apoptosis in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). CD73 and A2A expression were analyzed by flow cytometry in lymphocyte subpopulations from patients with obesity (n = 22), T2D (n = 22), and healthy subjects (n = 20). Lymphocytes were treated with the selective A2A antagonist (ZM241385) or the selective A2A agonist (CGS21680), and apoptotic cells were detected by Annexin V. We found an increased expression of CD39 coupled to a decrease in CD73 in the patient groups with obesity and T2D compared to the control group in the different studied lymphocyte subpopulations. A2A expression was found to be increased in different subpopulations of lymphocytes from T2D patients. We also detected positive correlations between CD39+ cells and age and BMI. Meanwhile, CD73+ cells showed negative correlations with age, WHR, BMI, FPG, HbAc1, triglycerides and cholesterol. Moreover, an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells from T2D patients with regard to the groups with obesity and control was observed. In addition, the CD8+ T cells of patients with T2D exhibited decreased apoptosis when treated with the A2A agonist. In conclusion, our data suggest a possible role for CD73 and A2A in inflammation observed in patients with T2D and obesity mediated via apoptosis.

Causas de desapego a tratamiento, dieta y seguimiento de pacientes con diabetes y posibles factores asociados con la enfermedad / Causes to detachment to treatment, diet and monitoring of patients with diabetes and possible factors associated with disease

Objetivo Analizar las causas de desapego a tratamiento y dieta de pacientes con diabetes y factores asociados con la enfermedad, como historia familiar de diabetes e hipertensión, en pacientes de un municipio de San Luis Potosí, México, y zonas aledañas. Métodos Estudio descriptivo de variables como edad, sexo, escolaridad, ocupación, historia familiar de diabetes e hipertensión, causas de desapego al tratamiento y dieta; estudio analítico por comparación de grupos en cuanto al riesgo de padecer diabetes de acuerdo a las variables socio demográficas y antecedentes familiares. Resultados De los 156 pacientes incluidos, las principales causas de desapego o abandono del tratamiento y/o dieta indicados fueron el olvido y la insistencia en el consumo de alimentos restringidos, además los pacientes con antecedentes familiares de hipertensión en ambos padres tuvieron 5,8 veces más riesgo de presentar Diabetes Mellitus, en comparación con aquellos sin éste antecedente (p<0,01). Aquellos pacientes con antecedentes maternos de diabetes presentaron 4,76 veces máyor riesgo de padecerla, comparados con aquellos que presentaban antecedentes paternos únicamente (p<0,001). En el caso de los pacientes con antecedentes de obesidad, estos presentaron 2,4 veces mayor riesgo de padecer diabetes, que los que no la tenían (p<0,05). Conclusiones Las principales causas, referidas por los pacientes, de desapego al tratamiento y dieta fueron el olvido y la insistencia en el consumo de alimentos restringidos. Además, el grado de asociación de Diabetes Mellitus con los antecedentes familiares de esta patología e hipertensión es de 2,4 a 5,8 veces, con una p<0,05.

Objectives Analyze the causes of detachment to diet and treatment of patients with diabetes and factors associated with disease such as family history of diabetes and hypertension, in patients from one municipality of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and surrounding areas. Methods Descriptive study of variables such as age, sex, schooling level, occupation, family history of diabetes and hypertension, causes of detachment to diet and treatment; analytic for groups in terms of the risk of diabetes according to socio demographic and family history. Results Of the 156 patients included main causes of detachment or abandonment of the indicated treatment and/or were the oblivion and insistence on restricted food intake. Patients with a family history of hypertension in both parents had 5.8 times the risk of Diabetes Mellitus, compared to those without this history (p<0.01). Those patients with a maternal history of diabetes had 4.76 times the risk of suffering it too, compared to those with only paternal history (p<0.001). For patients with a history of obesity, they had 2.4 times higher risk of developing diabetes than those who had not (p<0.05). Conclusions Main causes, reported by patients, for detachment to treatment and diet were the oblivion and the insistence on restricted food intake, and the degree of association of Diabetes Mellitus with family history of this disease and hypertension is 2.4 to 5.8 times, with p<0.05.

Atherogenic indices and prehypertension in obese and non-obese children.

We evaluate the relationship between different lipoproteins and atherogenic indices with pre-hypertension in 297 obese and 942 non-obese children with Tanner stage 1 enrolled in a multicentre, community-based cross-sectional study. Height, weight, fasting glucose and insulin levels, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), non-HDL-c, LDL/HDL-c, triglycerides/cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL-c ratios were measured. Mean age was 8.4 ± 1.2 years; pre-hypertension was identified in 104 (8.4%) participants, 46 (15.5%) obese and 58 (6.1%) non-obese children. The pre-hypertensive non-obese children show a high proportion of family history of hypertension (41.6 and 24.7%, p = 0.002) and elevation of insulin at a relatively low body mass index. The triglycerides:HDL-c ratio, but not other lipoproteins or atherogenic indices, was associated with pre-hypertension in obese (1.15, 95% confidence intervals 1.06-1.26) and non-obese children (1.38 95% confidence intervals 1.22-1.57). The triglycerides:HDL-c ratio is related to pre-hypertension in children; the family history of hypertension seems to be a risk factor in developing pre-hypertension.

[Causes of diabetic patients' indifference towards treatment, diet and monitoring and possible factors associated with such disease]. / Causas de desapego a tratamiento, dieta y seguimiento de pacientes con diabetes y posibles factores asociados con la enfermedad.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the causes of detachment to diet and treatment of patients with diabetes and factors associated with disease such as family history of diabetes and hypertension, in patients from one municipality of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and surrounding areas. METHODS: Descriptive study of variables such as age, sex, schooling level, occupation, family history of diabetes and hypertension, causes of detachment to diet and treatment; analytic for groups in terms of the risk of diabetes according to socio demographic and family history. RESULTS: Of the 156 patients included main causes of detachment or abandonment of the indicated treatment and/or were the oblivion and insistence on restricted food intake. Patients with a family history of hypertension in both parents had 5.8 times the risk of Diabetes Mellitus, compared to those without this history (p<0.01). Those patients with a maternal history of diabetes had 4.76 times the risk of suffering it too, compared to those with only paternal history (p<0.001). For patients with a history of obesity, they had 2.4 times higher risk of developing diabetes than those who had not (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Main causes, reported by patients, for detachment to treatment and diet were the oblivion and the insistence on restricted food intake, and the degree of association of Diabetes Mellitus with family history of this disease and hypertension is 2.4 to 5.8 times, with p<0.05.

Expression and function of P2X(7) receptor and CD39/Entpd1 in patients with type 2 diabetes and their association with biochemical parameters.

Chronic inflammation is an important contributor to the insulin resistance observed in type 2 diabetes (T2D). We evaluated the expression and function of the P2X(7) receptor and CD39/Entpd1, molecules involved in the cellular regulation of inflammation, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from T2D patients, and their correlation with the concentration of HbA1c in blood. T2D patients with deficient metabolic control (DC) showed increased proportion of P2X(7)(+) cells compared with healthy individuals; T2D-DC subjects also displayed higher proportion of CD14(+), CD4(+) and CD19(+) subpopulations of P2X(7)(+) cells when compared with T2D patients with acceptable metabolic control. A significant association was observed between the proportion of P2X(7)(+)CD14(+) cells and blood concentration of LDL-c. In addition, the percentages of CD39(+) cells and CD39(+)CD19(+) cells were significantly associated with HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels. No changes were observed in the function of P2X(7)(+) cells from T2D patients; however, enhanced CD39/Entpd1 enzyme activity and low serum levels of IL-17 were detected. Therefore, CD39(+) cells could have a balancing regulatory role in the inflammatory process observed in patients with T2D.