Serum nesfatin-1 and galanin concentrations in the adult with metabolic syndrome. Relationships to insulin resistance and obesity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the serum levels of nesfatin-1 and galanin in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and also to show their association with the parameters of the disease. Methods: We performed a case-control study with 84 participants (44 patients with MetS diagnosed according to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and International Diabetes Federation criteria and 40 control group) were recruited from King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between October 2014 and  June 2015. Anthropometric parameters, biochemical markers as well as nesfatin-1 and galanin were measured. Results:  Nesfatin-1 levels were found to be significantly lower and galanin levels significantly higher in MetS group compared to the control group. A significant negative correlation between serum nesfatin-1 and weight, waist circumference, and body mass index were observed. A significant positive correlation between serum galanin and with fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, and triglycerides. Conclusion: Our findings indicated a lower level of nesfatin-1 and a higher level of galanin in patients with MetS, suggesting a role of these neuropeptides in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, transforming growth factor-ß1 and lymphotoxin-α genes polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is a widely prevalent autoimmune disorder with suggested genetic predisposition. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to detect the pattern of genetic polymorphism of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677 T and A1298 C), transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1 T869 C) and lymphotoxin-α (LT-α A252G) in patients having rheumatoid arthritis and correlate these patterns to disease activity and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF), and osteopontin. METHODS: A total of 194 subjects, 90 controls and 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were genotyped for MTHFR C677 T and A1298 C, TGF-ß1 T869 C and LT-α A252G polymorphisms using a methodology based on PCR-RFLP. Also serum levels of TNF-α, osteopontin and BAFF were measured by ELISA kits. RESULTS: The CT genotype and T allele of MTHFR C677 T and GG genotype and G allele of LT-α A252G are associated with the risk of RA and with higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that there is association between MTHFR C677 T and LT-α A252G genes polymorphisms and increased risk of RA in this sample of Egyptian population.

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, transforming growth factor-ß1 and lymphotoxin-α genes polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis / Polimorfismos dos genes metilenotetrahidrofolato redutase, fator de crescimento transformador β1 e linfotoxina-α e susceptibilidade à artrite reumatoide

ABSTRACT Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a widely prevalent autoimmune disorder with suggested genetic predisposition. Objectives: The aim of this study is to detect the pattern of genetic polymorphism of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677 T and A1298 C), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1 T869 C) and lymphotoxin-α (LT-α A252G) in patients having rheumatoid arthritis and correlate these patterns to disease activity and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF), and osteopontin. Methods: A total of 194 subjects, 90 controls and 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were genotyped for MTHFR C677 T and A1298 C, TGF-β1 T869 C and LT-α A252G polymorphisms using a methodology based on PCR-RFLP. Also serum levels of TNF-α, osteopontin and BAFF were measured by ELISA kits. Results: The CT genotype and T allele of MTHFR C677 T and GG genotype and G allele of LT-α A252G are associated with the risk of RA and with higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there is association between MTHFR C677 T and LT-α A252G genes polymorphisms and increased risk of RA in this sample of Egyptian population.

RESUMO Antecedentes: A artrite reumatoide é uma doença autoimune amplamente prevalente com sugerida predisposição genética. Objetivos: Detectar o padrão de polimorfismo dos genes metilenotetrahidrofolato redutase (MTHFR C677 T e A1298 C), fator de crescimento transformador β1 (TGF-β1 T869 C) e linfotoxina-α (LT-α A252G) em pacientes com artrite reumatoide e correlacionar esses padrões com a atividade da doença e os níveis séricos de fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α), fator ativador de linfócitos B (BAFF) e osteopontina. Métodos: Foram genotipados 194 indivíduos – 90 controles e 104 com artrite reumatoide – à procura de polimorfismos dos genes MTHFR C677 T e A1298 C, TGF-β1 T869 C e LT-α A252G com uma metodologia baseada na PCR-RFLP. Mensuraram-se também os níveis séricos de TNF-α, osteopontina e BAFF com kits de Elisa. Resultados: O genótipo CT e o alelo T do MTHFR C677 T e o genótipo GG e alelo G do LT-α A252G estão associados ao risco de AR e a níveis mais elevados da citocina pró-inflamatória TNF-α em pacientes com artrite reumatoide. Conclusão Os achados do presente estudo sugerem que há associação entre os polimorfismos dos genes MTHFR C677 T e LT-α A252G e um risco aumentado de AR nessa amostra da população egípcia.

The role of Acacia Arabica extract as an antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Acacia Arabica extract as a hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant agent in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: This is an animal experimental study conducted in King Fahd Research Center, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 2012 to January 2013. Thirty-six female albino rats were divided into 2 equal groups; the first served as control, and the second was the streptozotocin-induced diabetic group. Each group was subdivided into 3 subgroups, each of 6 rats; the first was left untreated, the second and the third were treated with Acacia Arabica extract orally for 21 days (100 mg/kg for the second group and 200 mg/kg for the third group). On the twenty-first day, blood samples were withdrawn through the retro-orbital plexus of overnight fasted rats under light ether anesthesia for determination of serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), and coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10). RESULTS: A significant decrease in levels of serum glucose, insulin resistance, TC, TG, LDL-C, MDA and a significant increase in HDL-C and Co-Q10 was observed in the treated diabetic groups when compared to the untreated diabetic group. The changes were dose dependent. CONCLUSION: The results found in this study indicate that Acacia Arabica extract has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant properties, therefore, it can be investigated for its efficacy in the treatment of diabetes in humans.