ABSTRACT
Background: MyD88-adapter-like (MAL), as an essential adapter protein for a variety of TLRs (Toll-like receptors), modulates the inflammatory response. Many infectious illnesses are influenced by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that modify MAL function. We aimed to examine the influence of the MAL rs8177374 polymorphism on Plasmodium falciparum malaria susceptibility and severity. Patients and Methods: Samples from 141 Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients and 147 healthy controls were used in the study. Patients were subdivided into mild and severe groups based on their clinical results, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Genotypes for MAL rs8177374 were identified by allele-specific PCR technique, and TNF-alpha and IL-12 levels were measured using ELISA. Results: The MAL rs8177374 (CT) genotype is associated with an increased risk of malaria (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.44-4.41). Furthermore, the CT and TT genotypes gave considerable protection against severe malaria (OR: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.03-0.19 and OR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.007-0.1 respectively). And the T allele was linked to a higher risk of malaria (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.18-2.5), while protecting patients from severe malaria (OR: 0.135; 95% CI: 0.07-0.3). Mutants (CT and TT) have greater TNF-alpha and IL-12 levels compared to wild-type (CC). Conclusion: Malaria risk is linked to single nucleotide polymorphism in the MyD88-adaptor-like gene. People with the MAL rs8177374 mutant variant may be less likely to get severe malaria.
ABSTRACT
AIM: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of Nigella sativa (NS) on anthropometric, metabolic and inflammatory parameters and examining its related molecular mechanisms in obese prediabetic individuals as compared to both lifestyle modification (LM) and Metformin (Met). METHODS: This study included 117 obese prediabetic subjects who were randomized into LM group which followed controlled diet and exercise regimen, metformin group received metformin 500â¯mg tablets twice daily and NS group received NS oil soft gelatin capsules 450â¯mg twice daily. Anthropometric (weight, BMI), glycemic, lipid, inflammatory parameters and genetic expressions of Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and p53 genes were assessed before and six months after interventions. RESULTS: Post-intervention pairwise comparison revealed that, NS was statistically similar to metformin in improving anthropometric, glycemic parameters and SIRT1 gene expression. There was non-significant difference between LM and NS regarding their effects on anthropometric and most of glycemic parameters. Lifestyle modification group showed significantly higher HOMA-B and SIRT1 expression than NS and metformin. Nigella sativa improved lipid panel and significantly reduced TNF-α level and Castelli risk index-I as compared to other interventions. CONCLUSION: Nigella sativa uniquely improved lipid panel and significantly suppressed inflammation. Therefore, Nigella sativa may represent a promising intervention for obese prediabetic subjects. Clinicaltrial.gov ID: NCT03925714.