The combination of ginger powder and zinc supplement improves the fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats by modulating the hepatic expression of NF-κB, mTORC1, PPAR-α SREBP-1c, and Nrf2.

Although studies have shown that ginger, as an herbal remedy and zinc are able to improve inflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy, and metabolism of lipid and glucose, their molecular mechanisms are unknown. Therefore, this study was aimed to examine the therapeutic effects of ginger with zinc supplement for eight weeks on fructose-induced metabolic syndrome (MS). Ninety-six adult male Sprague Dawley rats (220 g ± 20) were randomly assigned to twelve controlled and treated groups. After the last treatment session, the level of lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, and leptin as metabolic factors and liver enzymes as biomarkers to evaluate liver function in serum were measured. The level of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation to evaluate the oxidative status and the TNF-α level as a biomarker to assess the state of inflammation in liver were also measured. The level of zinc along with the expression of NF-κB, mTORC1, PPAR-α, SREBP-1c, and Nrf2 in liver was also evaluated. The level of metabolic factors and liver enzymes in serum along with lipid peroxidation and TNF-α in liver increased; zinc and antioxidant enzymes levels decreased in rats with MS compared to control rats (p < .05). The hepatic expression of SREBP-1c, NF-κB and mTORC1 were upregulated and the expression of PPAR-α and Nrf2 were downregulated in rats with MS compared to control rats (p < .05). Treatment with different doses of ginger, zinc, and the combination of them could improve metabolic, inflammatory oxidative stress factors, and expression of the above genes in rats with MS compared to the MS group (p < .05). It can be concluded that ginger, zinc, and the combination of them could improve oxidative damage, inflammation, and autophagy induced by fructose and could adjust the glucose and lipid metabolism and the homeostasis of zinc in rats with MS. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Due to the increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases, the use of plant compounds such as ginger has attracted widespread attention. Ginger as an herbal remedy with predominant pharmacological properties due to its availability, cheapness, and lack of side effects is also very popular for the treatment of metabolic disorders in folk medicine. Moreover, enhancing its medicinal properties with supplements such as zinc can be widely welcomed. This study was actually performed with the aim of investigating the effects of ginger + zinc supplement on MS. The results showed that the ginger + zinc supplement could improve oxidative damage, inflammation, and autophagy caused by fructose and adjust the glucose and lipid metabolism and the homeostasis of zinc in rats with MS. The results of this study support the hypothesis that ginger can be used as a very suitable option for the production of medicinal supplements to maintain human health.

Interleukin-6 role in the severity of COVID-19 and intensive care unit stay length.

Evaluation of cytokine production in COVIID-19 disease, in which the cytokine storm is one of the most important pathological features in complicated cases, especially interleukin 6 as a pre-inflammatory cytokine that exacerbates the immune response, could help determine the pathophysiology of the disease. Examining the level of this cytokine along with other related factors can help to better understand the pathogenesis of this disease. In this cross-sectional study, 48 patients with COVID-19 whose disease was confirmed by swap testing were evaluated. The demographic information of the individuals, the symptoms of the disease, and the ward in which they were admitted were recorded. Blood samples were taken from patients to test for interleukin-6 levels by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA, Roche Diagnostics). Due to the lack of specific treatment protocols for patients and the use of supportive treatments based on meeting the nutritional needs for all patients, blood albumin levels and nutritional status of patients were also evaluated using Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) Form. Their calorie intake was assessed by calculating the number of calories received based on the type of nutrition and compared to the required amount calculated through the Harris-Benedict equation. 48 laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infected patients were included in the study with the mean age of 46.4 ± 8.3 years. 21 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). There was no significant difference between the ICU admitted and patients admitted inward in terms of demographic characteristics, and history of previous diseases (p > 0.05). The average interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients was 72.3±34.4 pg/ml. ICU admitted patients had higher IL6 levels (p=0.001). The mean interleukin 6 level was 89.04±34.1 pg/ml in patients admitted for less than 7 days and it was significantly higher (119.2±28.3) in patients hospitalized for more than 7 days (p=0.001). there was no significant difference in terms of nutritional status and albumin level between ICU admitted and ward admitted patients (p >0.05). Our study shows that there may be possible associations of IL6 and disease severity and ICU stay length.

Association of a genetic variant in the AKT gene locus and cardiovascular risk factors.

Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) is the leading cause of morbidity and death worldwide. Most genetic variants could be identified by several genome-wide-association-studies (GWAS), including within genes encoding proteins involved in the AKT/PI3K pathways that are related with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and CVDs. Therefore, due to the importance of genetic variants in the prognosis of diseases, we examined the genetic polymorphism of AKT-rs1130233 located on chromosome 14 with cardiovascular risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, 721 subjects recruited from the Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders (MASHAD) cohort study. The participants including 257 subjects with metabolic syndrome, 144 subjects with cardiovascular disease and 320 subjects as a control group. Anthropometric, biochemical and demographic information measures were prepared. Dietary assessment was managed by 24h dietary recall. DNA extraction and genotyping were carried out by using the TaqMan real-time-PCR based method. The association of AKT rs1130233 locus with dietary intakes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 21 software. Frequencies of genotypes AA, AG and GG of the AKT rs1130233 polymorphism were 12.6%, 44.5% and 42.9% in subjects with metabolic syndrome and 9.7%, 39.6% and 50.7% in subjects with cardiovascular disease, respectively. The frequency of allele A and G in cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome population were 29.5%, 70.5% and 34.8%, 65.2%, respectively. We have found no significant association between the AKT rs1130233 polymorphism with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome. The results of dietary intake showed that the levels of phosphorus intake (p=0.008), calcium intake (p=0.007) and iodine intake (p=0.04) were different in subjects with and without metabolic syndrome. And also, energy intake was significantly different in subjects with cardiovascular disease (p=0.01) compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that AKT rs1130233 was not associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in the Iranian population. More studies are needed to validate our results. We did functional analysis, due to certify our investigation about value of this genetic biomarker for CVD risk.

Comprehensive hematological reference intervals in a healthy adult male population.

Reference intervals (RIs) are important tools for improving medical decision-making. Hematology reference values can be influenced by important covariates such as genetic and environmental factors, rendering it essential to define RIs for specific populations. Therefore, we aimed to establish accurate and robust RIs for hematological markers in a healthy adult male Iranian population. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of 723 males aged 20-60 years old. Hematological parameters were routinely measured using a Sysmex auto analyser system (KX-21 N). The quality of assays was monitored using commercial quality control samples. The nonparametric rank method, as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, was used to calculate the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles as the lower and upper reference limits, respectively. Of the 12 hematological parameters assessed, only mean platelet volume (MPV) demonstrated significant age-specific differences, requiring two partitions from 20 to 35 years (8.7-12.2 fL) and 35 to 65 years (8.5-11.5 fL). The remaining hematological parameters (e.g. leukocyte, erythrocyte, and platelet parameters) could be defined by one age range. This study established RIs for 12 routinely used hematological parameters in a healthy male population living in the northeastern region of Iran. Established RIs differed from those previously reported by other cohorts, highlighting the importance of population-specific RIs.

Effects of dietary glutamine and arginine supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology and ascites mortality in broiler chickens reared under cold environment.

OBJECTIVE: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary glutamine (Gln) and arginine (Arg) supplementation on performance, intestinal morphology and ascites mortality in broilers. METHODS: A total of 675 day old chicks were randomly allocated to 9 experimental groups in a 3×3 factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design with 5 replicates of 15 chicks. Three levels of dietary Gln (0%, 0.5%, and 1%) and Arg (100%, 130%, and 160% of Ross recommendation) supplementation were used in ascites inducing condition (15°C ±1°C) from 7 to 42 days of age. RESULTS: Dietary supplementation of Gln increased body weight gain during grower, finisher and total periods (p<0.05) and increased feed intake during total period. Ascites mortality was decreased by Gln supplementation (p<0.05). Gln supplementation increased the villus height (VH) and crypt depth (CD) in duodenum and jejunum (p<0.05). Arg supplementation decreased CD in duodenum and jejunum, and increased ileum villus width (VW) and also VH/CD ratio in duodenum and jejunum (p<0.05). Both Gln and Arg increased the goblet cell number (GCN) in duodenum whereas Gln supplementation decreased GCN in jejunum and ileum (p<0.05). The Gln×Arg interaction were observed for right ventricle (RV)/total ventricular (TV) ratio, VH, VW, CD, VH/CD. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that dietary 0.5% Gln alone or along with 130% Arg of Ross requirement, improve the intestinal morphology and performance and hence decrease the ascites mortality in broiler chickens with cold induced ascites.