Effect of Conjugated Bile Salt Taurodeoxycholic Acid (TDCA) on Mice Colonic Motor Activity

Background & Aims: There is an ongoing discussion concerning the role of bile salts on the gastrointestinal motility. Therefore, Taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) was studied to investigate the effect of TDCA on mice colonic motility and to examine this mechanism of action in presences histamine antagonist (pyrilamine maleate salt, H1) and serotonin agonist (5-hydroxytryptamine hydrochloride, 5-HT). Methods: Dose response curve of TDCA was performed using different doses of TDCA (0.3, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 500 µM). Peristaltic motor complexes (PMCs) amplitudes and intervals of contractions were recorded. TDCA inhibitory effect (300 µM) on PMCs was studied with presence with H1 (10 µM) and 5-HT (25 µM). Results: TDCA inhibits intestine motility through increasing PMC intervals and decreasing PMC amplitudes with doses of 100, 200, 300 and 500 µM compared to the control values (P< 0.03, 0.03, 0.01, 0.01 respectively). H1 antagonist (10 μM) induced significant reducing in the PMC intervals (137.2 ± 13 S) compared to the control values (255.8 ± 31 S, P < 0.04) while there was no response of 5-HT agonist (25 µM) on interval or amplitude of PMCs regardless applying of TDCA (300 µM). Conclusion: TDCA directly inhibited colon motility may be due to slowing intestinal transit time. These finding is not revealed with presences of histamine antagonist and serotonin agonist

Vitamin D and Its Deficiency in Saudi Arabia

Vitamin D is a hot topic that has attracted attention over the past 10 years, especially since a large proportion of people suffer from this nutrient deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is estimated to be about 1 billion people all over the world and 50% in Asia and the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has also demonstrated a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy Saudi individuals. This chapter provides, in detail, a clear and understandable identification of vitamin D, its function, source, synthesis, metabolism, status, and deficiency. The chapter also focuses on studying vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia based on PubMed’s initial research criteria

Bone mass in Saudi women aged 20–40 years : the association with obesity and vitamin D deficiency

Summary: This study describes that low bone density is prevalent in premenopausal Saudi women, especially women of normal weight and vitamin D deficiency. Although BMD is higher in obese young women, this may not be beneficial later in life in conjunction with persistent vitamin D deficiency. Introduction: Not attaining peak bone mass is one crucial factor contributing to the risk of developing osteoporosis and suffering fractures in later life. The objectives of this study were to describe the normal range of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in premenopausal Saudi women in relation to obesity and vitamin D insufficiency. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 312 healthy Saudi women aged 20–40. All women were clinically examined. BMD (g/cm2) and BMC (g) assessed at total body (TB), femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and vitamin D deficiency defined as 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L. Results: Almost half of the studied women were obese, and the majority (86.2%) were deficient in vitamin D. Mean BMD in TB 1.060 ± 0.091, FN 0.918 ± 0.153 and LS 1.118 ± 0.123 g/cm2, while TB-BMC 2077 ± 272 g. When classified by BMI, the proportion with low bone density was 2–3 times higher among the normal weight compared to the obese women, p < 0.001. In the cohort overall, ~ 19% of these young premenopausal women had osteopenia or osteoporosis at the femoral neck, but 26% in normal weight, vitamin D deficient women. Conclusion: This study shows low bone density in premenopausal Saudi women, particularly those with normal weight. While obesity appears to confer some protection against vitamin D deficiency at this age, this is assumed to change in later life

Osteoporosis knowledge and awareness among university students in Saudi Arabia

Awareness and knowledge about any disease is the first step to prevent and treat it, so this study evaluates osteoporosis awareness and knowledge in university students. Our results showed a high awareness and good knowledge of osteoporosis. Females were better informed than males. Knowledge increased with increasing education level. PURPOSE: Osteoporosis is a worldwide health problem, including Saudi Arabia where vitamin D deficiency is common. Prevention of osteoporosis must begin by increasing awareness of the disease from a young age. This study aimed to assess awareness and knowledge of osteoporosis among young adults (18-30 years) attending Saudi universities, exploring the relationship between education and gender and the sources of information in this age group. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 337 students (176 females; 161 males) randomly selected from four Saudi universities during January-December 2017. Education level ranged from preparatory year to undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A self-reported questionnaire was designed to assess awareness and knowledge of osteoporosis across several domains, including risk factors for the disease, prevalence, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 92% of students had some awareness of osteoporosis through a variety of sources, predominantly via friends. Just over half of all students had a good or high knowledge level overall (53.4 ± 16.6%). Knowledge score correlated with education (r2 = 0.28) and gender (r2 = 0.27); p < 0.0001. Females were better informed than males (57.7 ± 15.4% vs 48.8 ± 16.8%; p < 0.0001). Knowledge increased with increasing education level (preparatory year (47.8 ± 15.3%), undergraduate (53.5 ± 16.5%), and postgraduate (61.8 ± 15.8%); all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of osteoporosis was good among university students in Saudi Arabia, higher in females and with increasing years of education. Overall, students were more knowledgeable about risk factors compared to other aspects such as symptoms, prevention, or treatment of osteoporosis