Microbiome alterations in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their offspring: A systematic review

AimsGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder that might predispose pregnant women to develop type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or lead to severe adverse outcomes in their offspring. One of the factors that have been thought to be involved in the pathology behind this disorder is the microbiome. In this systematic review, we comprehensively review the documents regarding the microbiota alterations in different tracts of pregnant women with GDM and their offspring.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in major databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of sciences up to August 2021. Data on the demographics, methodology, and microbiome alterations were extracted and classified according to the type of microbiome in pregnant women with GDM and their offspring. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).ResultsIn 49 articles which were retrieved, the findings were variable on the level of changes in alpha and beta diversity, enrichment or depletion in phyla, genera, species and OTUs, in each microbiome type. Although there were some inconsistencies among the results, a pattern of significant alterations was seen in the gut, oral, vaginal microbiome of women with GDM and gut, oral, and placental microbiome of their offspring.ConclusionEven though the alteration of the microbiome of the different tracts was seen in the cases of GDM, the inconsistency among the studies prevents us from identifying unique pattern. However, the results seem promising and further studies that overcome the confounding factors related to the demographics and methodology are needed

Ethical challenges in conducting and the clinical application of human microbiome research

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Does the ketogenic diet improve neurological disorders by influencing gut microbiota? A systematic review

Abstract Background The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the changes in gut microbiota (GM) induced by the Ketogenic Diets (KD) as a potential underlying mechanism in the improvement of neurological diseases. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted on three electronic databases, including PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus until December 2022. The inclusion criteria were studies that described any changes in GM after consuming KD in neurological patients. Full text of studies such as clinical trials and cohorts were added. The quality assessment of cohort studies was conducted using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and for the clinical trials using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The search, screening, and data extraction were performed by two researchers independently. Results Thirteen studies examining the effects of the KD on the GM in neurological patients were included. Studies have shown that KD improves clinical outcomes by reducing disease severity and recurrence rates. An increase in Proteobacteria phylum, Escherichia, Bacteroides, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, Agaricus, and Mrakia genera and a reduction in Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria phyla, Eubacterium, Cronobacter, Saccharomyces, Claviceps, Akkermansia and Dialister genera were reported after KD. Studies showed a reduction in concentrations of fecal short-chain fatty acids and branched-chain fatty acids and an increase in beta Hydroxybutyrate, trimethylamine N-oxide, and N-acetylserotonin levels after KD. Conclusion The KD prescribed in neurological patients has effectively altered the GM composition and GM-derived metabolites

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Iranian Adults: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of multiple metabolic abnormalities, is one of the major public health challenges worldwide. The current study was conducted to evaluate the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and MetS and its components in Iranian adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 5,852 men and women, aged 19 to 70 years, who participated in the fourth phase (2009 to 2011) of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Demographics, anthropometrics, biochemical measurements, and blood pressure (BP) were assessed and MetS was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Frequency and quantity of SSB intakes including carbonated drinks and synthetic fruit juices were collected using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire.ResultsMean age of participants (43%, men) was 40.6±12.9 years. Significant positive associations between SSBs and waist circumference, triglyceride level, systolic and diastolic BP in the third and fourth quartile of SSBs were observed, after adjustment for all potential confounding variables. The odds of MetS in the third and fourth quartiles compared to the first quartile category of SSBs was 1.21 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.45) and 1.30 (95% CI, 1.06 to 1.58), respectively (P for trend=0.03). The odds of MetS, abdominal obesity, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated BP had increasing trends across increasing of SSB consumption (P for trend <0.05).ConclusionHigher intake of SSBs was associated with the higher odds of MetS in adults. It is suggested that reducing consumption of SSBs could be a practical approach to prevent metabolic abnormalities

The effect of probiotic supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized placebo controlled trial

Aims: The role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of diabetes is increasing; this study investigates the effect of multi-strain probiotics on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma insulin and lipid profile among patients. Methods: This randomized double blind controlled trial was performed among 60 patients; individuals were randomly assigned into 2 groups of 30 participants in order to take either probiotic supplements or placebo for 6 weeks. The probiotic supplement consisted of 7 viable strains Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. Nutrient intakes were estimated using a 3-day and 24 hour-dietary recall at the beginning and end of study. Fasting blood samples were taken before and after intervention to measure the levels of FPG, plasma insulin and lipid profiles. Results: Within group comparisons showed significant decrease and increase in the levels of FPG (P ¼ 0.001) and HDL-C (P ¼ 0.002) in probiotic group, respectively. No significant alterations were observed for within and between group comparisons in the levels of insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, insulin resistance and anthropometric measurements, including weight, waist circumference and body mass index (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed a significant decrease in FPG level by multi-strain probiotic supplements in within group comparison; though, further studies are needed to confirm results. (IRCT Code: IRCT2013100714925N1

Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy in a Youth Presented with Sclerotic and Lytic Bone Lesions; a Family with AGPAT2 Mutation

BackgroundCongenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) is a rare disease. It is associated with near total fat loss, severe insulin resistance and hypoleptinemia leading to metabolic derangements.Case PresentationWe report a 25- year- old female with 1-Acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase 2 (APGAT2) mutation, and both sclerotic and lytic bone lesions together for the first time. Bone cyst is one of the manifestations of CGL with AGPAT2 mutation. Patients usually have sclerotic bone lesions before and lytic bone lesions after puberty. Our patient had lytic bone lesions in (femur) long bones and also sclerotic lesions in the pelvic which was related to AGPAT2 mutation.ConclusionThe young female hadacral enlargement, hepatomegaly and both sclerotic and cystic bone lesions with AGPAT2 mutation

Convalescent Plasma against COVID-19: A broad-spectrum therapeutic approach for emerging infectious diseases

In the lack of an effective vaccine and antiviral treatment, convalescent plasma (CP) has been a promising therapeutic approach in past pandemics. Accumulating evidence in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic corroborate the safety of CP therapy and preliminary data underlines the potential efficacy. Recently the FDA permitted CP therapy for COVID-19 patients under the emergency use authorization (EUA), albeit additional clinical studies are needed. The imminent threat of a second or even multiple waves of COVID-19, compels health authorities to delineate and calibrate a feasible preparedness algorithm for deploying CP as an immediate therapeutic intervention. The success of preparedness programs depends on the interdisciplinary actions of multiple actors in politics, science and healthcare. In this review, we evaluate the current status of CP therapy for COVID-19 patients and address the challenges that confront the implementation of CP. Finally, we propose a pandemic preparedness framework for future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and unknown pathogen outbreaks.status: accepte