Critical Appraisal of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and Circulating Soluble Receptors for Advanced Glycation End Products (sRAGE) as a Predictive Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Disease in Hemodialysis Patients.

The interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGE) and their receptors promote vascular complications of diabetes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The soluble form of the receptor for the advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) has been studied as a vascular biomarker in various diseases with controversial results. Our aim was to evaluate the association of the serum levels of the AGEs and their receptor sRAGE with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the cardiovascular risk factors among HD patients. There were 130 HD patients and 80 age and gender matched control subjects were involved; 31.5% of the HD group were diabetic, which was an underlying cause of renal impairment; 36.1% had CVD, which was comprising 44.7% of diabetics and 55.3% of non-diabetic patients. The AGEs and sRAGE were assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the lipid profile, glycemic indices, pre-dialysis renal function tests, and hemoglobin % (Hb) were evaluated. The results show that the circulating AGEs and sRAGE levels were significantly higher in the HD patients. Those with underlying diabetes displayed higher sRAGE levels, which were positively correlated with hyperglycemia, HbA1C, and total cholesterol (TC). The HD patients with an increased serum sRAGE exhibited more cardiovascular risk factors (hypercholesterolemia and anemia) with a high prevalence of CVD. Using a linear regression analysis, we found a significant association of sRAGE with CVD and TC among HD patients, regardless of whether associating diabetes was an underlying cause of renal impairment. Overall, the HD patients displayed significantly higher serum AGEs with a concomitant increase in the circulating sRAGE levels, mainly in the diabetic HD, which were significantly associated with the CVD (independent predictors) and CV risk factors (hypercholesterolemia), mainly sRAGEs, regardless of the underlying diabetes mellitus. This highlights the prognostic role of AGEs and sRAGE in HD patients regardless of underlying cause in order to predict the risk for CVD.

Ameliorative impact of Morus alba leaves' aqueous extract against embryonic ophthalmic tissue malformation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming a serious threat to human health. Morus alba var. multicaulis (Perr.) Loudon (Moraceae) showed a bright future in DM therapy. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluates the antioxidant activity of Morus alba leaves aqueous extract (MLAE) and antidiabetic properties of MLAE in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats focusing on the ameliorative effects against embryogenesis defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MLAE was assayed for bioactive compounds, and antiradical potential. MLAE (100mg/kg body weight) was orally administered to albino rats. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60mg/kg). The pregnant rats were arranged into 4 groups including control pregnant (C), MLAE-treated group (M), experimental diabetic group (D), and combined diabetic with MLAE-treated group (D-MLAE). The experiment performed in about six months. RESULTS: TPC in MLAE accounted for 11mg GAE/g dry weight (dw) while vitamin C and ß-carotene amounts were 144 and 0.1mg/100g, respectively. MLAE exhibited DPPH, NO and O-2 radical scavenging activities. Treatment of diseased-rats with MLAE resoluted serum glucose levels (378mg/dL), wherein glucose recorded the highest level (830mg/dL) in DM mothers. DM rats recorded the highest level of TC, TG, HDLc, LDLc, and CK, while MLAE treatment reduced those levels. DM rats recorded the highest level of MDA, H2O2, SOD, CAT, GST, GSPase, GSH, GOT, GPT, albumin, bilirubin, arginase, and α-l-fucosidase, while MLAE reduced those levels. Histological photomicrographs of maternal retina showed degenerated ganglionic cells, and neovascularization of nerve fiber layer with edematous inner plexiform layer, and partial loss outer plexiform layer in DM rats. CONCLUSION: MLAE could be used to ameliorate DM. Thus, it might be considered as useful dietary supplements in diabetic patients.

Bioactive Compounds of Cold-pressed Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Oil with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties.

Herbs rich in bioactive phytochemicals were recognized to have biological activities and possess many health-promoting effects. In this work, cold-pressed thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) oil (TO) was studied for its lipid classes, fatty acid profile, tocols and phenolics contents. Antioxidant activity and radical scavenging potential of TO against free radicals (DPPH(・) and galvinoxyl) was determined. Antimicrobial activity (AA) of TO against food borne bacteria, food spoilage fungi and dermatophyte fungi were also evaluated. Neutral lipids accounted for the main lipid fraction in TO, followed by glycolipids and phospholipids. The major fatty acids in TO were linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic. γ-Tocopherol (60.2% of total tocols) followed by α-tocotrienol (26.9%) and α-tocopherol (9.01% of total tocols) were the main tocols. TO contained high amounts of phenolic compounds (7.3 mg/g as GAE). TO had strong antiradical action wherein 65% of DPPH(・) radicals and 55% of galvinoxyl radical were quenched after 60 min of incubation. Rancimat assay showed that induction time (IT) for TO: sunflower oil blend (1:9, w/w) was 6.5 h, while TO: sunflower oil blend (2:8, w/w) recorded higher IT (9 h). TO inhibited the growth of all tested microorganisms. TO exhibited various degrees of AA against different food borne bacteria, food spoilage fungi and dermatophyte fungi, wherein the highest AA was recorded against dermatophyte fungi and yeasts including T. mentagrophytes (62 mm), T. rubrum (40 mm), and C. albicans (20 mm) followed by food spoilage fungi including A. flavus (32 mm) with minimal lethal concentrations (MLC) ranging between 80 to 320 µg/mL. Furthermore, TO exhibited broad-spectra activity against food borne bacteria including S. aureus (30 mm), E. coli (25 mm) and L. Monocytogenes (20 mm) with MLC ranging between 160 to 320 µg/mL. The results suggest that TO could be used economically as a valuable natural product with novel functional properties in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

Functional characteristics, nutritional value and industrial applications of Madhuca longifolia seeds: an overview.

New sustainable edible oil sources are desired to achieve supply chain flexibility and cost saving opportunities. Non-traditional fruit seeds are being considered because their constituents have unique chemical properties and may augment the supply of nutritional and functional products. Madhuca longifolia Syn. M. indica (Sapotaceae) is an important economic tree growing throughout the subtropical region of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. Information concerning the exact composition of mahua butter (known also as mowrah butter) from fruit-seeds of buttercup or Madhuca tree is scare. Few studies investigated mahua butter for its composition, nutritional value, biological activities and antioxidative properties. In consideration of potential utilization, detailed knowledge on the chemical composition, nutritional value and industrial applications of mahua butter is of major importance. The diversity of applications to which mahua butter can be put gives this substance great industrial importance. This review summarizes recent knowledge on bioactive compounds, functional properties as well as food and non-food industrial applications of mahua butter. Graphical abstractᅟ.

Evaluation of diagnostic and predictive value of serum adipokines: Leptin, resistin and visfatin in postmenopausal breast cancer.

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for cancer. The associations of obesity with postmenopausal breast cancer (PBC) have been previously proven in clinical studies. The mechanisms underlying these associations remain unexplained completely, however, adipose tissue as an endocrine organ producing adipokines may interfere with cancer development. The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic and predictive value of serum levels of leptin, resistin and visfatin with inflammatory and tumour markers in relation to anthropometrics, clinicopathological features of PBC. This study included 298 postmenopausal Saudi females categorised into three groups. One hundred and ten BC patients with age matched, 89 healthy control (HC) and 99 females with benign breast lesion (BBL). For all subjects CA15-3, hsCRP, resistin, visfatin and leptin were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of leptin, resistin and visfatin were significantly higher in BC compared to BBL and HC groups (p<0.05). Their levels were also significantly higher in advanced TNM stage, tumour size, LN invasion, histological grade and negative ER or PR cases. The most significant predictor of leptin level was ER (p<0.05). While for resistin and visfatin level the most significant independent predictor was LN invasion. ROC analysis for serum leptin revealed AUC=0.795; 95% CI, 0.724-0.866. Resistin showed AUC=0.875; 95% CI, 0.821-0.928. Meanwhile, visfatin greater than 12.2ng/mL demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 97.6% and 92.6%, respectively and AUC=0.724; 95% CI, 0.643-0.804. In conclusion serum leptin, resistin, and visfatin levels could be considered of potential diagnostic value for PBC and they would be independent predictors of LN invasion and ER negative PBC cases.

Health-promoting value and food applications of black cumin essential oil: an overview.

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds and its essential oil have been widely used in functional foods, nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical products. Analysis of Nigella sativa essential oil using GC and GC-MS resulted in the identification of many bioactive compounds representing ca. 85 % of the total content. The main compounds included p-cymene, thymoquinone, α-thujene, longifolene, ß-pinene, α-pinene and carvacrol. Nigella sativa essential oil exhibited different biological activities including antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant potentials. Nigella sativa essential oil showed complete inhibition zones against different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including Penicillium citrinum Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The essential oil showed stronger antioxidant potential in comparison with synthetic antioxidants (i.e., BHA and BHT) in a rapeseed oil model system. The oil exhibited also stronger radical scavenging activity against DPPH·radical in comparison with synthetic antioxidants. The diversity of applications to which Nigella sativa essential oil can be put gives this oil industrial importance.

Tumor necrosis factor inhibition increases the revascularization of ischemic hind-limbs in diabetic mice.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is first identified as a mediator of lethal endotoxin poisoning. The anti-TNF therapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is based on the recognition of the role of TNF as the master regulator. Type II diabetes is characterized with altered stem cells and reduced vasculogenesis. Therefore, we aimed to determine if TNF inhibitor would improve vasculogenesis in ischemic hind-limbs of diabetic mice. Fifty male type 2 diabetic and their control (8-10 weeks old mice) were used, and ischemia was induced in the hind-limbs of all mice for 28 days. Vessel density was assessed by high-definition microangiography at the end of the treatment period. After 4 weeks, vessel density displayed no difference between the ischemic and the non-ischemic legs in control mice. However, in diabetic mice, the ischemic hind-limb vessel density was significantly decreased. Interestingly, diabetic mice displayed a significant improved vasculogenesis when treated with TNF inhibitor. Moreover, this data was confirmed by capillary density determined by immunostaining. TNF inhibitors are able to improve the formation of microvessels in response to ischemia in type 2 diabetes.

Resistin, visfatin, adiponectin, and leptin: risk of breast cancer in pre- and postmenopausal saudi females and their possible diagnostic and predictive implications as novel biomarkers.

The mechanisms of obesity-induced breast carcinogenesis are not clear. One hypothesis is that high levels of adipokines could promote breast cancer (BC) development. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of resistin, visfatin, adiponectin, and leptin with BC risk in pre- and postmenopausal females. A total of 82 BC newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed patients and 68 age and BMI matched healthy controls were enrolled. Both groups were subdivided into post- and premenopausal subgroups. Resistin, visfatin, adiponectin, and leptin were measured by ELISA. There were significantly higher levels of leptin, resistin, and visfatin in postmenopausal BC patients than their respective controls. Only in postmenopausal subgroups, leptin, resistin, and visfatin levels were positively correlated with TNM staging, tumor size, lymph node (LN) metastasis, and histological grading. In postmenopausal females, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and resistin were risk factors for BC. Our results suggested that serum resistin, leptin, adiponectin, and visfatin levels as risk factors for postmenopausal BC may provide a potential link with clinicopathological features and are promising to be novel biomarkers for postmenopausal BC.