The Protective Effect of Phaseolus Vulgaris on Cataract in Type 2 Diabetes: A Profitable Hypothesis

The pathophysiology of major ocular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Bantu is not well understood. Several studies have been conducted to determine the basic reasons of visual deficiencies (VD) (blindness, visual impairment, and ocular eye diseases) in T2DM among Bantu from Central Africa. The quality of dietary intake was assessed in patients along with other ophthalmological assessments for diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, and macular edema. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants. The consumption of at least 3 ladles per meal, 3 times or more per week, has been identified as a potential protective factor against cataract. The anti-radical activity of beans is well known in the literature. Beans are considered to have a comparatively higher antioxidant activity than in many other vegetables. Our findings from previous epidemiologic studies establish that the antioxidant activity of P. vulgaris helps control blood glucose. We, therefore, hypothesize that the dietary supplements of bean can be a low-cost prevention approach to reduce cataract and much other visual comorbidity associated with T2DM. However, further epidemiological studies combined with molecular research need to be conducted to prove this hypothesis

The Protective Effect of Phaseolus Vulgaris on Cataract in Type 2 Diabetes: A Profitable Hypothesis

The pathophysiology of major ocular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Bantu is not well understood. Several studies have been conducted to determine the basic reasons of visual deficiencies (VD) (blindness, visual impairment, and ocular eye diseases) in T2DM among Bantu from Central Africa. The quality of dietary intake was assessed in patients along with other ophthalmological assessments for diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, and macular edema. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants. The consumption of at least 3 ladles per meal, 3 times or more per week, has been identified as a potential protective factor against cataract. The anti-radical activity of beans is well known in the literature. Beans are considered to have a comparatively higher antioxidant activity than in many other vegetables. Our findings from previous epidemiologic studies establish that the antioxidant activity of P. vulgaris helps control blood glucose. We, therefore, hypothesize that the dietary supplements of bean can be a low-cost prevention approach to reduce cataract and much other visual comorbidity associated with T2DM. However, further epidemiological studies combined with molecular research need to be conducted to prove this hypothesis

Diagnostic performance of several biomarkers for identification of cases of non-communicable diseases among Central Africans

Background: This study determined the diagnostic performance of new biomarkers for a composite diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Central Africans. Methods:  This case-control study was conducted at LOMO Medical Centre, Kinshasa, DR Congo (DRC) between January – December, 2008. The cases comprised 226 participants with concurrent presence of at least 2 or more of NCDs. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured while blood samples were assayed for biomarkers. The receiver operating characteristics curve and the logistic regression model were applied.Results: Serum selenium (Se) had specificity and sensitivity of 72.4% and 91.1%, respectively with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.802; Nitric oxide (NO) (specificity: 72.4%; sensitivity: 93.0%) (AUC = 0.800); Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels > 6 Mu/L (specificity: 75%; sensitivity: 65%) (AUC = 0.0.727); serum calcium levels of ≥ 110g/L (specificity: 76%; sensitivity: 75%) (AUC = 0.822); and daily salt intake of ≥10 g/day (specificity: 75%; sensitivity: 67%) (AUC = 0.653) in the diagnosis of all NCDs, which were all highly significant (<0.0001).  Conclusion: Serum Se, NO, calcium, TSH and daily salt intake had high diagnostic performance as biomarkers for identification of patients with concurrent NCDs in the study population. Keywords: Non-communicable diseases, diet, new biomarkers, Central Africa

Diagnostic performance of several biomarkers for identification of cases of non-communicable diseases among Central Africans

Background: This study determined the diagnostic performance of new biomarkers for a composite diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Central Africans. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at LOMO Medical Centre, Kinshasa, DR Congo (DRC) between January \u2013 December, 2008. The cases comprised 226 participants with concurrent presence of at least 2 or more of NCDs. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured while blood samples were assayed for biomarkers. The receiver operating characteristics curve and the logistic regression model were applied. Results: Serum selenium (Se) had specificity and sensitivity of 72.4% and 91.1%, respectively with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.802; Nitric oxide (NO) (specificity: 72.4%; sensitivity: 93.0%) (AUC = 0.800); Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels > 6 Mu/L (specificity: 75%; sensitivity: 65%) (AUC = 0.0.727); serum calcium levels of 65 110g/L (specificity: 76%; sensitivity: 75%) (AUC = 0.822); and daily salt intake of 6510 g/day (specificity: 75%; sensitivity: 67%) (AUC = 0.653) in the diagnosis of all NCDs, which were all highly significant (<0.0001). Conclusion: Serum Se, NO, calcium, TSH and daily salt intake had high diagnostic performance as biomarkers for identification of patients with concurrent NCDs in the study population

Intake of Gnetum africanum and Dacryodes edulis, imbalance of oxidant/antioxidant status and prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in central Africans.

To estimate the prevalence of DR and to correlate cardiometabolic, sociodemographic, and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance data to the prevalence of DR.This case-control study included type 2 DM (T2 DM) patients with DR (n = 66), T2 DM patients without DR (N = 84), and healthy controls (n = 45) without DR, in Kinshasa town. Diet, albuminemia, serum vitamins, and 8-isoprostane were examined.No intake of safou (OR = 2.7 95% CI 1.2-5.8; P = 0.014), low serum albumin <4.5 g/dL (OR-2.9 95% CI 1.4-5.9; P = 0.003), no intake of fumbwa (OR = 2.8 95% CI 1.2-6.5; P = 0.014), high 8-isoprostane (OR = 14.3 95% CI 4.5-46; P<0.0001), DM duration ≥ 5 years (OR = 3.8 95% CI 1.6-9.1; P = 0.003), and low serum vitamin C (OR = 4.5 95% CI 1.3-15.5; P = 0.016) were identified as the significant independent determinants of DR.The important role of oxidant/antioxidant status imbalance and diet is demonstrated in DR

Independent determinants of DR among Central Africans with T2 DM.

<p>Independent determinants of DR among Central Africans with T2 DM.</p

Independent determinants of DR among Central Africans with type 2 Diabetes mellitus.

<p>Independent determinants of DR among Central Africans with type 2 Diabetes mellitus.</p

Migration, cardiometabolic risk and DR presence.

<p>Migration, cardiometabolic risk and DR presence.</p

Photos of Fumbwa leaves (A) and Africanum pear Safou fruit (B).

<p>Photos of Fumbwa leaves (A) and Africanum pear Safou fruit (B).</p