Protective effect of vitamin E on oxidative stress and sperm apoptosis in diabetic Mice

Background: Generation of free radicals and oxidative stress are a major contributor to diabetes. These factors lead to the development of diabetic testicles disorders. Objective: In this study, the protective effect of vitamin E on functional disorders associated with diabetes induced oxidative stress in male reproductive systems has been investigated. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three adult male Mice were divided into control, diabetic, and untreated diabetic groups. Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes. In the treated group, vitamin E was given to the Mice intraperitoneally for 30 days. Then, animals were anesthetized and sacrificed. Animal testicles were isolated and homogenized in phosphate buffer and used for measuring sperm count, motility and survival of sperm, MDA concentration and antioxidant capacity (TAC). Apoptosis was also performed with the TUNEL test. Results: The results of reduction (12.03±98.11) TAC, MDA concentration (–28.5±2.58), sperm motility (unstable sperma= 86.4±7.48), sperm count (171.51), Sperm morphology (natural morphology= 49.69±31.93) and abnormal morphology (9.77±49.7) with increased oxidative damage. These changes were statistically significant in comparison with the control group for all variables other than MDA (p= 0.05). Treatment of vitamin E diabetic Mice improved the ability of antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage in the testicles, restore the sperm movement, and increase the number of normal sperm as well as TAC. The level of apoptosis in the treated group has decreased compared to the untreated group. Conclusion: Vitamin E protects the reproductive system against diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it was concluded that vitamin E may be a suitable agent for protecting the sperm and testicular parameters against undesirable effects of diabetes. Key words: Case-control study, Vitamin E, Diabetes treatment, Diabetic Syrian mice, Male reproductive dysfunction

Is there any putative mediatory role of inflammatory markers on the association between ultra-processed foods and resting metabolic rate?

The resting metabolic rate (RMR) represents the largest component of total daily energy expenditure. The sale of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is increasing globally; however, UPF can have many adverse effects, including increasing inflammatory markers and altering RMRs. This cross-sectional study included 285 healthy overweight and obese women. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer InBody 770 scanner. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), plasminogen activator-1 (PAI-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) blood levels were measured after a 12-h fasting. Indirect calorimetry was used to evaluate the RMR by using the Weir equation, and RMR deviation (RMR estimated - RMR actual), RMR per body mass index (BMI), and free fat mass (FFM) were estimated. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used, and seven groups of UPFs were extracted based on the NOVA method. A negative association between the RMR [β = −0.159, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.471, −0.052, P = 0.044], RMR per BMI (β = −0.014, 95% CI: −0.025, −0.006, P = 0.036), and RMR per FFM (β = −0.241, 95% CI: −0.006, −0.000, P = 0.041) using the NOVA score was observed after adjusting for confounders. This association disappeared after inclusion of each inflammatory marker. All the markers may inversely mediate the relationship between the mentioned variables and the NOVA score. hs-CRP and MCP-1 also had a negative effect on the relationship between the NOVA score and RMR deviation. Finally, UPF intake is likely related with the RMR, mediated through changes in the production of hs-CRP, PAI-1, MCP-1, and IL-1β

Are there any interactions between modified Nordic-style diet score and MC4R polymorphism on cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese women? A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women globally. Recent studies have reported that the minor allele (C allele) for melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) rs17782313 may be related to the incidence of obesity and the risk of CVD. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the interactions between the modified Nordic-style diet score (MND) and MC4R gene variant on markers of CVD. METHODS: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 282 Iranian women, aged 18–48 years, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25. MND score was assessed using a 147 items food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Genotyping of the MC4R (rs17782313) was conducted by the PCR method. The anthropometric measurements and serum profiles were assessed by standard protocols. RESULTS: The means and standard deviation (SD) of age, weight, and BMI of individuals were 36.67 ± 9.10 years, 81.29 ± 12.43 kg, and 31.26 ± 4.29 kg/m(2), respectively. The overall prevalence of rs17782313 genotypes was 30.1%, 24.8%, and 45.1% for TT, TC, and CC, respectively. Our results showed significant negative interactions between high MND score and rs17782313 SNP in terms of visceral fat level (VFL) (β: -10.84, 95% CI: -20.64 to -1.04, P = 0.03) and total cholesterol (β: -24.24, 95% CI: -49.87 to 1.38, P = 0.06) in the crude model. After adjusting confounders, the interaction between high MND scores and VFL remained significant. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that diet, gene variants, and their interaction should be considered in metabolic disease risk assessment. Further studies are needed to confirm these data and better elucidate the interaction. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12902-022-01132-1

Relationship between the double burden of malnutrition and mental health in overweight and obese adult women

The co-existence of overweight or obesity with concurrent deficiency of one or more nutrients is referred to as double burden of malnutrition (DBM), and numerous mental health impairments have been associated with a variety of nutrient deficiencies. Although DBM is relevant for several health outcomes, the ubiquitous involvement of vitamin D across multiple systems and tissues suggests D insufficiency as a viable target for nutritional modification. The present study aimed to evaluate the contribution of DBM and mental health among adult women. Study participants included 300 women, aged 18–59 years, who presented to one of the 25 health centres in Tehran. Participants with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 25 kg/m(2) and a plasma concentration of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] of >20 ng/ml were considered to have DBM. The 147-item food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate their dietary intake. Mental health status was assessed using the depression, anxiety and stress scales-21 (DASS-21). The mean ± standard deviation age, weight and BMI of the participants were 36⋅49 ± 8⋅38, 80⋅89 ± 12⋅45 kg and 31⋅04 ± 4⋅31 kg/m(2), respectively. DBM was significantly associated with stress, after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, energy and marital status in model 1 (OR = 1⋅28, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1⋅00, 1⋅65, P < 0⋅04) v. the crude model (OR = 1⋅22; 95 % CI 0⋅96, 1⋅55, P = 0⋅09). No significant association was seen among DBM and DASS-21 outcomes. In this cross-sectional study, stress and DBM were significantly associated. While vitamin D insufficiency was associated with mental health and obesity in opposing directions. Elucidation of whether vitamin D supplementation can improve mental health impairments requires further evaluation

Interaction between caveolin-1 polymorphism and dietary fat quality indexes on visceral adiposity index (VAI) and body adiposity index (BAI) among overweight and obese women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) in adipocyte tissue and other body parts possesses numerous biological functions. In the present study, we sought to investigate the interaction between CAV-1 polymorphism and dietary fat quality indexes on visceral adiposity index (VAI) and body adiposity index (BAI) among overweight and obese women. METHODS: This study was conducted on 386 women aged 18–48 years old. Biochemical measurements were assessed by standard protocols. We used a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to calculate the dietary intake and the indexes of dietary fat quality intake. Anthropometric values and body composition were measured by standard methods. Finally, the CAV-1 genotype was measured using the PCR–RFLP method. RESULTS: We found marginally significant differences between AA and GG genotypes of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (P = 0.06) and BAI (P = 0.06) of participants after adjusting for potential confounders. For dietary intakes, after adjusting with the energy intake, mean differences in biotin (P = 0.04) and total fiber (P = 0.06) were significant and marginally significant, respectively. The interaction between two risk alleles (AA) with omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (W6/W3) on BAI, after adjustment for potential confounders (age, physical activity, energy intake, education), was marginally positive (β = 14.08, 95% CI = − 18.65, 46.81, P = 0.07). In comparison to the reference group (GG), there was a positive interaction between the two risk alleles (AA) with W6/W3 ratio on VAI (β = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.20, 8.84, P = 0.06) in the adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS: We found that there might be an interaction between CAV-1 genotypes with dietary quality fat indexes on VAI and BAI among overweight and obese women

Evaluation of Sesquiterpenes from Ferula assa-foetida on inflamatory parameters and study of biding modes using computational methods

introduction: Ferula assafoetida is a source of sesquiterpenes [1]. According to an investigation, phenolic compounds at physiological concentration can inhibit inflammatory enzymes [2]. These enzymes digest the extracellular matrix and provide the conditions for activation and migration and proliferation of endothelial cells. Reported studies on medicinal plants for their inhibitory effect on MMP are very limited. Methods and Results: Acetone extract of plant was prepared and Sesquiterpenes were purified using HPLC preparative analyses and their structures were elucidated. After culturing the cell at confluence, cells were isolated and the supernatant was removed. The pure substances were applied on cell lines U87MG and Wehi activities. Besides the structure has been docked in the active site of metalloproteinase, and significant interactions were determined.Subsequently, ligand-protein complexes were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation in water and thermodynamic properties were calculated. In the phytochemistry field galbanic acid, mogoltadone, kellerin, polyanthin and polyanthininwere produced from F. assafoetida. The results of celluar toxicity study shows that IC50 of Galbanic acid, Mogoltadone and Polyanthin in Wehi cell line were 925.2703, 721.86, and 680.3 µg/ml in U87MG cell line were 952.193, 752.352, 678.742. Galbanic acid, mogoltadone, kellerin, polyanthin and polyanthininwere solated from F. assafoetida. The results of celluar toxicity study show that IC50 of Galbanic acid, Mogoltadone and Polyanthin in Wehi cell line were 925.2703, 721.86, and 680.3 µg/ml in U87MG cell line were 952.193, 752.352, 678.742 Conclusion: Investigation revealed that the coumarins have inhibitory effects on the content and activity of MMP 2.9 and showed anti-angiogenetic effect. So, they can be potentially effective in the treatment of cancer. Interactive and competitive binding between MMP-9 and Galbanic acid were studied with FT-IR, UV-Vis and fluorescence methods and MMP-9 structure was changed in these interactions