Omega-3 Fatty Acid Consumption and Food Sources Differ among Elderly Men Living in Coastal and Internal Regions of Saudi Arabia

Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) play an important role in reducing the risk of heart diseases. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the consumption and the food sources of n-3 FAs in two samples of elderly men living in different geographic locations (coastal and internal regions) of Saudi Arabia. Sixty men from each of the coastal and the internal regions provided a 24-hour recall and 2-day food record and a food frequency questionnaire. Food Processor Plus computer program software (ESHA Version 0.7; Salem, Oregon, 2002) was used to analyze the dietary intake. The intake of total n-3 FAs, alpha-lenolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were higher among the coastal region residents than among the internal residents (P \u3c 0.05). English walnuts, salmon, canola oil, malabar cavalla and king mackerel were the top five foods contributing to the n-3 FA intakes in the coastal region. The top five foods contributing to the n-3 FA intakes in the internal region were English walnuts, lamb, whole milk, baked beans and chicken. The food contributing the most to the intake of n-3 FAs in both regions were English walnuts. In conclusion, the food consumption pattern for food providing n-3 FAs differs by location and coastal residents consume more than twice as much n-3 FAs as internal residents. Nutrition education intervention among internal residents is needed for increasing the consumption of n-3 FAs

Protective effect of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract on glycoprotein components on STZ–induced hyperglycemic rats

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the protective role of Cardiospermum halicacabum (C. halicacabum) leaf extract on glycoprotein metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.MethodsDiabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by intraperitonial administration of STZ. The C. halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) was administered orally to normal and STZ–diabetic rats for 45 days. The effects of C. halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) on plasma and tissue glycoproteins (hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid) were determined.ResultsThe levels of plasma and tissues glycoproteins containing hexose, hexosamine and fucose were significantly increased in STZ–induced diabetic rats. In addition, the level of sialic acid significantly increased in plasma and liver while decreased in kidney of STZ–induced diabetic rats. After administration of CHE to diabetic rats, the metabolic alteration of glycoprotein reverted towards normal levels.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that the CHE possesses a protective effect on abnormal glycoprotein metabolism in addition to its antihyperglycemic activity

INFLUENCE OF CARDIOSPERMUM HALICACABUM LEAF EXTRACT ON MEMBRANE BOUND ENZYMES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Background: Cardiospermum halicacabum L. has been proven scientifically to possess anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antiglycation, analgesic and antipyretic activities. It also has been used in Ayurveda and folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, fever and earache. Objective: In the present study, we investigated whether the Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) can improve the membrane bound enzymes activity by streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by intraperitonial administration of STZ. The CHE was administered orally to normal and STZ-diabetic rats for 45 days. Results: There were a marked decrease in the activities of membrane bound phosphatases such as total ATPases, Na+/K+-ATPases, Mg2+-ATPases and Ca2+-ATPases in the erythrocytes and tissues of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of CHE to diabetic rats significantly increased the activities of these enzymes towards near normalcy. Conclusions: Thus, the present study indicates that the beneficial role of membrane bound enzymes in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties of CHE (Veeramani et al., 2008; Veeramani et al., 2010) could be helpful to maintain the levels of membrane bound enzymes in STZ-induced diabetic rats showing the membrane stabilizing property of extract

MORIN, A FLAVONOID, ON LIPID PEROXIDATION AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN EXPERIMENTAL MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIC RATS

Background: Myocardial infarction affects a large population in the world. Lipid peroxide metabolism plays an important role in the pathology of myocardial infarction. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant potential of morin, a flavonoid in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI), in rats. Materials and Methods: Male albino Wistar rats were pre-treated with morin (40 mg/kg), daily for a period of 30 days. After the treatment period, ISO (85 mg/kg), was subcutaneously injected in rats at an interval of 24 h for 2 days. Results: ISO-administered rats showed elevated levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and lipid hydro-peroxide (LOOH), in plasma and heart. Pretreatment with morin, the above changes were significantly reduced to near normal level. ISO-administered rats showed decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in heart. In addition, decrease the levels non enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E in plasma and heart while ceruloplasmin in plasma. Conclusion: Pretreatment with morin, reversed these above biochemical changes towards normalcy. These findings revealed that, the morin possess antioxidant activity in experimentally induced cardiac toxicity

Chemopreventive potential of β-Sitosterol in experimental colon cancer model - an In vitro and In vivo study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Asclepias curassavica </it>Linn. is a traditional medicinal plant used by tribal people in the western ghats, India, to treat piles, gonorrhoea, roundworm infestation and abdominal tumours. We have determined the protective effect of β-sitosterol isolated from <it>A. curassavica </it>in colon cancer, using <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>models.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The active molecule was isolated, based upon bioassay guided fractionation, and identified as β-sitosterol on spectral evidence. The ability to induce apoptosis was determined by its <it>in vitro </it>antiradical activity, cytotoxic studies using human colon adenocarcinoma and normal monkey kidney cell lines, and the expression of β-catenin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in human colon cancer cell lines (COLO 320 DM). The chemopreventive potential of β-sitosterol in colon carcinogenesis was assessed by injecting 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 20 mg/kg b.w.) into male Wistar rats and supplementing this with β-sitosterol throughout the experimental period of 16 weeks at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg b.w.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>β-sitosterol induced significant dose-dependent growth inhibition of COLO 320 DM cells (IC₅₀266.2 μM), induced apoptosis by scavenging reactive oxygen species, and suppressed the expression of β-catenin and PCNA antigens in human colon cancer cells. β-sitosterol supplementation reduced the number of aberrant crypt and crypt multiplicity in DMH-initiated rats in a dose-dependent manner with no toxic effects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We found doses of 10-20 mg/kg b.w. β-sitosterol to be effective for future <it>in vivo </it>studies. β-sitosterol had chemopreventive potential by virtue of its radical quenching ability <it>in vitro</it>, with minimal toxicity to normal cells. It also attenuated β-catenin and PCNA expression, making it a potential anticancer drug for colon carcinogenesis.</p

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Comparison of the intake of omega -3 fatty acids and its relation to the incidence of non fatal myocardial infarction in two samples from different geographical locations in Saudi Arabia

Evidence shows that omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) may help in preventing heart disease. The purposes of this current study were to investigate the consumption and the food sources of n-3 FA in two groups of elderly men living in different geographic location (coastal and internal regions) of Saudi Arabia; and to examine the relationship between n-3 FA intakes and non fatal myocardial infarction and the presence of risk factors for heart disease. Total n-3 FA intakes and the intakes of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were greater in residents in the coastal than the internal region (P \u3c 0.05). Walnuts, salmon, canola oil, malabar cavalla and king mackerel were the top five foods contributing to the intake n-3 FAs in the coastal region. Seafood was a major contributor to the intake of n-3 FAs in the coastal region as three-fourths of the residents in this region consumed 5–7 seafood servings/week. The top five foods contributing to the n-3 FA intakes in the internal region were walnuts, lamb, whole milk, baked beans and chicken. After walnuts, the plant foods contributing the most to the intake of n-3 FA in the internal region were zucchini squash, potato, spinach, cherries, cantaloupe, apple and baked beans provided a total of 0.28 g/day. Rates of nonfatal myocardial infarction, high serum cholesterol, and high blood pressure were higher in the internal than the coastal region, but differences were not significant. There was a negative correlation between n-3 FA intakes and rates of non fatal myocardial infarction in both the coastal (p \u3c 0.01) and internal (P \u3c 0.05) regions. Results also indicate a negative correlation between n-3 FA intakes and rates of high serum cholesterol in both regions (P \u3c 0.01). There was a negative correlation between n-3 FA intakes and rates of high blood pressure in the coastal region (P \u3c 0.05), but not in the internal region. In conclusion, in this study the food consumption patterns for n-3 FAs differ by location. N-3 FA intakes of elderly men living in the coastal region of Saudi Arabia were higher than those of men living in internal region of the country. Seafood consumption may be one of the reasons for higher intakes of n-3 FA in the coastal region. However the food contributing the most to the intakes of n-3 FA in both regions was walnuts. (Abstract shortened by UMI.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Consumption and Food Sources Differ Among Elderly Men Living in Coastal and Internal Regions of Saudi Arabia

Research suggest that omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FAS) play an important role in reducing the risk of heart diseases. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the consumption and the food sources of n-3 FAS in two samples of elderly men living in different geographic locations (coastal and internal regions) of Saudi Arabia. Sixty men from each of the coastal and the internal regions provided a 24-hour recall and 2-day food record and a food frequency questionnaire. Food processor plus computer program software (ESHA Version 0.7; Salem, Oregon, 2002) was used to analyzed the dietary intake. The intake of total n-3 FAs, alpha-lenolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were higher among the coastal region residents than among the internal residents (p<0.05). English walnuts, salmon, canola oil, Malabar cavalla and king mackerel were the top five foods contributing to the n-3 FA intakes in the coastal region. The top five foods contributing to the n-3 FA intakes in the internal region were English walnuts, lamb, whole milk, baked beans and chicken. The food contributing the most to the intake of n-3 FAs differs by location and coastal residents consume more than twice as much n-3 FAS as internal residents. Nutrition education intervention among internal residents is needed for increasing the consumption of n-3 FAs

Nutrition Knowledge of Primary Care Physicians in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Several studies have indicated a lack of nutritional knowledge among physicians. As there is no published data in nutritional knowledge among physicians in Saudi Arabia, hence the purpose of this current study was to assess the nutrition knowledge of primary care physicians working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nutrition knowledge questionnaire consisted of 16 multiple-choice questions, was mailed to 105 primary care physicians working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was pre- tested in a pilot study. Nonrespondents received a second questionnaire and a phone call. Of the 105 primary care physicians, 59 replies were received (56.2%). The mean mark for correctly answered questions was 51.7%. Approximately 75 % of the physicians described their knowledge of nutrition as “Poor”. The results indicate that physicians are generally aware of information which has been publicized in the medical press: nutrient which helps preventthrombosis (omega-3 fat);the preventive action of fruit and vegetables against cancer; which nutrients are antioxidants; the nutrient associated with the prevention of neural tube defects (folate). By contrast they have a poor knowledge of other important topics in nutrition: the major type of fat in olive oil; hydrogenated fats; source of vitamin B 12; Substance raises the blood HDL-cholesterol level (Alcohol); the association between excess protein intake and calcium loss; the type of dietary fiber helpful in lowering the blood cholesterol level (soluble fiber) and Nutrient is protective against hypertension. These results support other data that physicians need more education in nutrition. Nutrition should be an essential part in continuing medical education. Key words: Physician, nutrition knowledge, Saudi Arabi