Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Its Association with Hyperandrogenemia Among Sudanese Reproductive Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are more common and frequently occur among PCOS women. The objective of this study was to evaluate atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) as a predictor of CVD and its association with hyperandrogenemia among PCOS women. Methods and Results: This hospital-based study, conducted in Khartoum (Sudan) from October 2020 to September 2021, used a case-control design. The patients (n=150) were women with diagnosed PCOS, according to Rotterdam criteria. The controls were 150 infertile women who did not have PCOS. An ELISA reader (ASYS Expert Plus Microplate, Austria) was used to quantify serum insulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) by indirect methods and total testosterone (TT) by competitive method during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Serum samples of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were assayed on the Cobas c311 system (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Germany). The triglyceride–glucose index (TyGI) and TyGI-BMI, as a marker for insulin resistance (IR), were calculated. The logarithmically converted ratio of the molar concentrations of TG to HDL-C was used to determine the AIP. Low CVD risk was defined as 0.24. PCOS women had a significant increase in BMI, compared to non-PCOS (P0.1. PCOS women with hyperandrogenemia showed significantly increased AIP and decreased HDL-C. Additionally, about 73% of PCOS women with hyperandrogenemia had lower HDL-C, and 29.9% had a high risk of CVD (AIP>0.24). A Spearman correlation revealed that PCOS women’s TT correlates positively with TC, TG, TyGI, and AIP and inversely correlates with HDL-C. AIP positively correlates with TT, TC, TyGI, and TyGI-BMI index. Conclusion: Our data revealed a significant occurrence of hyperandrogenemia, dyslipidemia, AIP, and obesity, all of which are considered risk factors for CVD in PCOS women

3D hydrogel/ bioactive glass scaffolds in bone tissue engineering: Status and future opportunities

From Elsevier via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2023-06-06, issued 2023-07-05Article version: AMPublication status: AcceptedRepairing significant bone defects remains a critical challenge, raising the clinical demand to design novel bone biomaterials that incorporate osteogenic and angiogenic properties to support the regeneration of vascularized bone. Bioactive glass scaffolds can stimulate angiogenesis and osteogenesis. In addition, natural or synthetic polymers exhibit structural similarity with extracellular matrix (ECM) components and have superior biocompatibility and biodegradability. Thus, there is a need to prepare composite scaffolds of hydrogels for vascularized bone, which incorporates bioactive glass to improve the mechanical properties and bioactivity of natural polymers. In addition, those composites' 3-dimensional (3D) form offers regenerative benefits such as direct doping of the scaffold with ions. This review presents a comprehensive discussion of composite scaffolds incorporated with BaG, focusing on their effects on osteo-inductivity and angiogenic properties. Moreover, the adaptation of the ion-doped hydrogel composite scaffold into a 3D scaffold for the generation of vascularized bone tissue is exposed. Finally, we highlight the future challenges of manufacturing such biomaterials

Visceral adipose index, lipid accumulation product, and selected cardiometabolic risk markers among postmenopausal Sudanese women: A cross-sectional study

Background: In Sub-Saharan African countries, data examining postmenopausal women's cardiometabolic risk (CMR) remains limited. Our study aimed to assess the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and physical activity levels of postmenopausal women and determine their CMR. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 224 postmenopausal women aged ≥47 years recruited from Khartoum State, Sudan. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Physical activity levels were determined using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire version 2. Fasting blood samples (5 mL) were collected to determine the lipid profile. The VAI and LAP were calculated as indicators for visceral adiposity, whereas AIP was calculated as an indicator of CVD risk. Results: The postmenopausal women's mean age was 62.4 ± 10.2 years. Women (29.2%; 54/185) were physically inactive, with most inactive women being >64 years and having ≥5 CVD risk factors compared with the active and very active women with 3–4 CVD risk factors. Women had high total cholesterol (24.6%), triglycerides (26.6%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (14.3%), and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (61.2%) levels. Moreover, women (33.5%) had a high CVD risk. In multiple regression analyses, AIP increased significantly with VAI and BMI. The ROC analysis revealed that the highest and statistically significant AUC was recorded for VAI followed by LAP among postmenopausal women, suggesting their diagnostic significance for CVD risk. Conclusion: VAI and LAP were closely associated with an increased risk of CVD in postmenopausal Sudanese women and were considered the best diagnostic performance

High Sensitive C-reactive Protein Level in Relation to Increased Body Mass Index among Non-diabetic Non-hypertensive Women

Introduction: An increased Body Mass Index (BMI) has an adverse effect on the socio-economic and healthcare sectors and may influence metabolic status. High sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is an emerging biomarker. The association between dyslipidaemia and obesity is well established, and has been found to be the risk factors for CVD. Aim: To study the relationship of hs-CRP with BMI, lipid profile and magnesium among obese and overweight non-diabetic non-hypertensive Sudanese women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 women in Khartoum state (Sudan), aged between 20 and 43 years, from June to November 2019. The study included three groups of women based on BMI. hs-CRP was measured by using latex immunoturbidimetric method, lipid profile was evaluated using Biosystems colourimetric methods and magnesium by a chemical method. Results were computed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: There was significant increase in the mean values of hs-CRP, Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), and a significant decrease in the mean values of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and magnesium in obese and overweight women, when compared to normal body weight women. Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a positive correlation between hs-CRP, and BMI, Waist-To-Hip Ratio (WHR), TC, TG, and LDL-C (p-value <0.01). Conclusion: Overweight and obese women have increased hsCRP and atherogenic lipid profile, suggesting obesity to be a state of chronic inflammation. hs-CRP can be used to assess the risk of obesity-related disorders for early intervention

Black cumin seed oil, protein, concentrates, and hydrolysate

Medicinal plants (MPs) have prevented and cured diseases for many centuries by using different indigenous ecosystems in medicine and folk medicines (FMs). Furthermore, MPs are also used to prepare herbal medicines (HMs) as they are considered safe compared to contemporary allopathic drugs. Many researchers concentrate on MPs, since only inadequate plant types have been studied systematically. They have examined their therapeutic activities, potential, safety evaluation, toxicological studies, and mechanism of action. So, considering the medicinal value and its therapeutic potential, it would spotlight the biological activities of black cumin seed oil (BCSO). Among several MPs, the black seed (also known as black cumin) (Habat-ul-Sauda), since numerous types of research have revealed its broad spectrum of pharmacological potential (Family Ranunculaceae), is emerging as a phenomenon herb with a rich history and religious background. Black cumin seed (BCS), Nigella sativa, is a plant native to North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Southern Europe. It is grown in many countries worldwide, including South Europe, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East Mediterranean region, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Thus, the black seed is economically available worldwide. BCSO is widely used as an alternative medication. Many beneficial substances are generated directly from BCSO, whereas others are chemically altered natural products. This study confirmed the use of BCSO in nutritional, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors and some bioactive elements found in their oil and by-products, including AAs, FAs, and the TQ. Further research is required to understand BCSO activity, its bioactive components, and its nutritional impact. Modifying the molecular structure of alphahederin, TQ, and other BCSO bioactive compounds may lead to more effective and safe treatments in the future. To combat resistance issues, BCSO and its bioactive compounds such as alpha-hederin, TQ, and others can be used in appropriate combinations with existing chemotherapy drugs. Researchers should also investigate TQ’s molecular and cellular targets. This book chapter is dedicated to all scientists who wish to do more preclinical and clinical research on using BCSO to treat various communicable illnesses