Assessment of differences on inflammatory and metabolic indicators between pre- and post-menopause women among hypertensive and/or diabetic patients

To assess the differences on inflammatory and metabolic indicators between pre-menopause and post-menopause women among hypertensive and/or diabetic type-2 women. A total of 236 obese women included in the study have chosen from Primary Health Care Centers in Gaza City, Palestine, through a cross-sectional study. Selection depended on health status hypertensive and/or diabetic type-2 (HT, T2DM, HT+T2DM). In HT group, post-menopause women had significant higher values than pre-menopause women on TC (200±47 vs. 172.5±55 mg dL–1, p<0.01) and TG (166±89 vs. 120.5±82 mg dL–1, p<0.01). In T2DM group, post-menopause women had significant higher values than pre-menopause women on SBP (132±24 vs. 120±20 mm Hg, p<0.01), TC (213±40 vs. 185±46 mg dL–1, p<0.05) and TG (196±118 vs. 136±64 mg dL–1, p<0.05). Finally, in HT+T2DM group, post-menopause women had significant higher value than pre-menopause women on SBP (144±21 vs. 133±14 mmHg, p<0.05), TC (214±54 vs. 181±55 mg dL–1, p<0.05), TG (231±83 vs. 158±85 mg dL–1, p<0.05), IL-6 (2.32±1.34 vs. 1.71±1.45 pg mL–1, p<0.05) and BMI (36.48±7.1 vs. 32.18±5.6 kg m‾ 2, p<0.05). Post-menopause women diseased of HT and T2DM accompanied with higher rates of BMI are at risk for developing inflammatory and metabolic morbidities

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a review of initiators and protective factors

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a collective term comprising of a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. These diseases are the largest cause of morbidity and premature death worldwide. Coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease (stroke) are the most frequently occurring diseases. The two major initiators involved in the development of atherosclerotic CVD are vascular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid oxidation. In atherosclerosis development, ROS is associated with rapid loss of anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activities of the endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO·) resulting in endothelial dysfunction. In part involving activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, ROS have been involved in signaling cascades leading to vascular pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic gene expression. ROS is also a potent activator of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which indicate plaque destabilization and rupture. The second initiator involved in atherosclerotic CVD is the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Oxidation of LDL in vessel wall leads to an inflammatory cascade that activates atherogenic pathway leading to foam cell formation. The accumulation of foam cells leads to fatty streak formation, which is the earliest visible atherosclerotic lesion. In contrast, the cardiac sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) and hepatic apolipoprotein E (apoE) expression can improve cardiovascular function. SERCA2a regulates the cardiac contractile function by lowering cytoplasmic calcium levels during relaxation, and affecting NO· action in vascular cells, while apoE is a critical ligand in the plasma clearance of triglyceride- and cholesterol-rich lipoproteins

Evaluation of hypertension and diabetes risk factors and the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C on inflammatory markers in hypertensive and diabetic obese adults in Palestine

Obesity or an increase in body adiposity has been envisaged by WHO as the fifth leading risk of global deaths. It was well associated with metabolic disorders as hypertension (HT) and type-2 diabetes (T2DM). Adipose tissue plays an active role in endocrine function by secreting adipokines that involve inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. A cross-sectional study involved 484 adult subjects in seven primary healthcare centers in Gaza City, Palestine, was carried out to determine whether the alteration of inflammatory indicators was associated with obesity and/or disease conditions. After that, 108 obese patients of HT and/or T2DM were selected from the cross-sectional part and assigned into three equal groups (each group 36 patients); Control, Vitamin C (1 gram/daily), and Omega-3 FAs (0.5 gram/daily) via a randomized controlled trial (RCT); in order to identify the effects of intervention factors on inflammatory and metabolic markers. The results of cross-sectional part indicated that obesity was the main risk factor associated with alteration of Adiponectin, C reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Uncontrolled HT and T2DM were also risk factors associated with Adiponectin and CRP alteration. In the RCT part, balance was achieved between the groups and the confounders were neutralized at the randomization time. 95 (88%) patients were completed to final analysis. Within Vitamin C group, the significant reductions (P˂0.05) were detected for CRP [from 14.86±9.20 to 7.74±4.53 mg/L], IL-6 [from 2.20±0.75 to 1.40±0.53 pg/mL], fasting blood glucose (FBG) [from 188.13±81.24 to 126.16±34.06 mg/dL], and triglyceride (TG) [from 223.81±87.88 to 155.10±48.12 mg/dL]. Within Omega-3 FAs group, the significant changes (P˂0.05) were detected for CRP [from 14.78±10.73 to 8.49±6.69 mg/L], FBG [from 178.13±58.5 to 157.32±59.7 mg/dL], and TG [from 209.23±108.3 to 167.0±79.9 mg/dL]. Within control group, the significant changes (P˂0.05) were detected for FBG [from 187.15±64.8 to 161.91±37.9mg/dL] and TG [from 202.91±107.0 to 183.45±95.82 mg/dL]. In conclusion, at the endpoint, repeated comparisons between the groups detected the efficacy of Vitamin C on CRP, IL-6, and FBG, meaning that Vitamin C supplementation has treating effects while Omega-3 FAs supplementation has protective effect

Melissopalynological Study, Phenolic Compounds, and Antioxidant Properties of Heterotrigona itama Honey from Johor, Malaysia

Six honey samples produced by the stingless bee Heterotrigona itama were analyzed for their plant sources, phenolic compositions, and antioxidant activities. The honey samples were acetolyzed and identified microscopically, and the phenolic compounds were identified by using HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using three different assays (FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS) by spectrophotometry. The melissopalynological analysis showed that 26 pollen types from 14 plant families were identified in the honey. Cocos nucifera and Rhizophora mucronata presented as predominant pollen. A total of 6 phenolic acids such as catechin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rutin were identified. Rhizophora mucronata honey possessed the highest antioxidant activity in all assays. The result showed the influence of plant sources on the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant properties of stingless bee honey. These findings could be significant contributions for the sustainability of stingless bee industry as well as to promote Malaysian stingless bee honey worldwide

Effect of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Obesity is a degree of excess weight that predisposes people to metabolic syndromes via an inflammatory mechanism. Hypertensive and diabetic people have higher risks of developing systemic inflammation. Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC ω-3 PUFAs) can reduce the cardiovascular events and help against inflammation. Objective: To identify the effects of LC ω-3 PUFAs on reducing the levels of inflammatory markers on hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults. Materials and methods: Sixty-four patients, who were hypertensive and/or diabetic obese with high levels of inflammatory markers, from primary healthcare centers of Gaza City, Palestine, enrolled in two groups of an open-label, parallel, randomized, controlled trial for 8 weeks. Thirty-three patients were in the control group, and 31 patients were in the experimental group. The experimental group was treated with a daily dose of 300 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 200 mg of docosahexaenoic acid. Materials and methods: Sixty-four patients, who were hypertensive and/or diabetic obese with high levels of inflammatory markers, from primary healthcare centers of Gaza City, Palestine, enrolled in two groups of an open-label, parallel, randomized, controlled trial for 8 weeks. Thirty-three patients were in the control group, and 31 patients were in the experimental group. The experimental group was treated with a daily dose of 300 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 200 mg of docosahexaenoic acid. Results: Treatment with LC ω-3 PUFAs significantly reduced the level of high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) [14.78±10.7 to 8.49±6.69 mg/L, p<0.001], fasting blood glucose (FBG) [178.13±58.54 to 157.32±59.77 mg/dL, p=0.024], and triglyceride (TG) [209.23±108.3 to 167.0±79.9 mg/dL, p<0.05] after 8 weeks of treatment, whereas no significant changes appeared in interleukin 6 (IL-6) and total cholesterol (TC). In the control group, significant reduction was detected for FBG [187.15±64.8 to 161.91±37.9 mg/dL, p<0.05] and TG [202.91±107.0 to 183.45±95.82 mg/dL, p<0.05], and no changes for hs-CRP, IL-6, or TC. By comparing the experimental group with the changes of control group at the endpoint, LC ω-3 PUFAs did not reach the clinical significance in treating effectiveness for any of the clinical variables. Conclusion: LC ω-3 PUFAs have recommended effects on health; the obtained results can improve the role of LC ω-3 PUFAs as a protective factor on inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. The time allowed or the dose used could be insufficient to achieve full treatment affectivity

Dietary and Lifestyles assessment among Obese Women in Gaza City, Palestine

Background: The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Aim: To clarify and figure out food habits and different lifestyle pattern among a sample of Palestinian women attending the nutrition center in the Gaza Strip. Methods: A cross-sectional study involved 116 women were randomly chosen by purposive census sampling. They aged 25 to 60 years with a diagnosis of obesity. The data collected by interview questionnaire that included social factors, lifestyle habits, and health/disease history. Results: Age group variable has distributed significantly (p=0.024), (31.0%) of morbid obese were &ge;35 years group compared to (13.5%) of morbid obese amongst the younger group. The higher intakes of legumes (OR: 2.134, P=0.003), nuts (OR: 3.917, P=0.019), eggs (OR: 6.840, P=0.009), fast foods (OR: 4.461, P=0.005), and soda drinks (OR: 2.230, P=0.004) were the risk factors linked to the increased risk of morbid obesity. Moreover, the higher intakes of legumes (OR: 8.439, P=0.011), eggs (OR: 6.900, P=0.041), chips (OR: 5.049, P=0.012), sugar (OR: 2.068, P=0.011), and fast foods (OR: 3.029, P=0.025) are risk factors of chronic diseases. Conclusion: The study identified several lifestyle factors and improper dietary habits associated with obesity among women in Gaza city. There is a great need to change these habits to avoid the increased risk of obesity. Gene-environment interaction can explain the high incidence of obesity. A national plan of action to overcome obesity is urgently needed to reduce its economic and health burde