Interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha inflammatory markers association with arterial stiffness in Vitamin D3 deficiency, obese and diabetic emirati population

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death both globally and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Vitamin D deficiency, obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) are significantly prevalent in the UAE population and are considered high-risk factors for CVDs. In the meantime, arterial stiffness has been reported to be an independent predictor of CVDs with a strong association with vascular inflammatory reactions. Aims and Objectives: Identify and analyze specific inflammatory biomarkers associated with arterial stiffness in order to enhance the detection and prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among high-risk patients. Materials and Methods: We have recruited 23 middle-aged Emiratis with the following criteria: 11 individuals as controls (Vitamin D level >20 ng and body mass index [BMI] <30), 9 patients with Vitamin D deficiency (Vitamin D level ≤20 ng) and obese (BMI ≥30) and 3 patients with Vitamin D deficiency (Vitamin D level ≤20 ng), obese (BMI ≥30) and previously diagnosed with type 2 DM. Several inflammatory biomarkers were measured in the plasma samples using Luminex Human Cytokine Pre-mixed Kit. Results: Arterial stiffness was measured using pulse-wave velocity (PWV). The PWV relative to age was significantly higher in both patient groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, there is a significant increase in the plasma protein levels of interleukin (IL)-6 cytokine (P = 0.0229) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) cytokine (P = 0.0258) in Vitamin D deficiency, obese and diabetic patients compared to the control group. The rest of the inflammatory markers did not show statistically significant changes in the plasma levels. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that individuals with Vitamin D deficiency, obesity, and DM exhibit elevated plasma protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines when compared to the control group and individuals with only Vitamin D deficiency or obesity. These increased levels of cytokines are closely associated with arterial stiffness, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for early detection of vascular damage in high-risk patients, thereby aiding in the prevention of CVDs. However, further research with a larger cohort is warranted to validate and explore these significant pathways and biomarkers in greater detail

Designing the Path for Soil Salinity Management: Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives in Morocco

Soil salinity is a significant threat to crop sustainability and food security. This review aims to provide the basis for effective soil salinity management by examining the different solutions to develop scientifically sound guidelines for farmers, maintain profitable agricultural production in saline farmland irrigated possibly with saline groundwater, and alleviate agricultural land degradation. A lesson learned from the Moroccan experience in tackling salinity is needed for integrating soil and water management and appropriate salt-tolerant crops with innovative agricultural practices as a package of saline agriculture. Moreover, regional and global cooperation to exchange emerging challenges, successful rehabilitation studies, and innovative solutions should be considered. This review concludes that no single parameter could be suggested as the only possible way for soil salinity rehabilitation

Circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers of early vascular damage in vitamin D deficiency, obese, and diabetic patients.

Vitamin D3 deficiency, obesity, and diabetes mellitus (DM) have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the early detection of vascular damage in those patients is still difficult to ascertain. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized to play a critical role in initiation and pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction. Herein, we aimed to identify circulating miRNA biomarkers of vascular dysfunction as early predictors of CVDs. We have recruited 23 middle-aged Emiratis patients with the following criteria: A healthy control group with vitamin D ≥ 20ng, and BMI 1.5) in high-risk patients for CVDs vs healthy controls. Collectively, our result indicates that four specific circulating miRNA signature, may be utilized as non-invasive, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for early vascular damage in patients suffering from vitamin D deficiency, obesity and DM

Circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers of early vascular damage in vitamin D deficiency, obese, and diabetic patients

Vitamin D3 deficiency, obesity, and diabetes mellitus (DM) have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the early detection of vascular damage in those patients is still difficult to ascertain. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized to play a critical role in initiation and pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction. Herein, we aimed to identify circulating miRNA biomarkers of vascular dysfunction as early predictors of CVDs. We have recruited 23 middle-aged Emiratis patients with the following criteria: A healthy control group with vitamin D ≥ 20ng, and BMI 1.5) in high-risk patients for CVDs vs healthy controls. Collectively, our result indicates that four specific circulating miRNA signature, may be utilized as non-invasive, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for early vascular damage in patients suffering from vitamin D deficiency, obesity and DM