COVID-19 Mortality and the Cytokine Storm: An Added Value for APOE Genotyping

The new COVID-19 presents some comorbidities, such as obesity, Alzheimer’s, and coronary risk, among others. We argue that the current understanding of some of these clinical conditions may illuminate the design of future COVID-19 studies to account for a bias that may be the cause of the para-doxical associations between COVID-19 mortality and cytokine storm. Given that we know some of the genetic mechanisms behind these diseases, it is possible to circumscribe these studies to some key genes that help us understand why some patients experience a cytokine storm and what the treatment strategies might be. In this paper, we discuss the role of A2M and APOE genes. A2M encodes a multifaceted protein which is highly expressed in the liver and released to the bloodstream associated with the apolipopro-tein E. This association depends on the APOE genotype. A2M has protease-clearing activity binding of a broad range of proteases, such as thrombin and Factor Xa. It also presents the ability to bind to proin-flammatory ligands, like cytokines. Further, A2M acts as chaperone of misfolded substrates, like beta-amyloid peptide. The last two molecular functions grant it a key role in regulating both inflammatory processes, as well as extracellular protein homeostasis. For these reasons, we conclude that A2M-APOE association will have prophylactic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications; and the proper understanding of the physiological role of APOE and A2M in controlling inflammatory processes can shed further light on the putative treatment of COVID-19-derived cytokine storm.Fil: Diambra, Luis Anibal. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Rastmanesh, Reza. No especifíca

Validation of the Persian version of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

    Evaluation of functional disability using proper instruments, like Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is necessary not only for quality of life assessment, but also as a useful marker for disease activity. HAQ has been translated into many languages. To validate the Persian version of Stanford HAQ. Persian version of the HAQ (PE-HAQ) with culturally necessary modifications of the arising, eating, hygiene, reach and activities category questions was administered to 872 RA patients (87% female; mean age 57.5 years; mean onset age 51.5 years; mean disease duration 6.1 years). The arising, hygiene and activities scores were higher in the PE-HAQ than in the original HAQ, because futons and squat toilets are very common in Iranian culture and most of patients are bound to praying even in the standing position. Arising from a futon, squatting in a squat toilet and kneeling are generally more difficult for disabled individuals than are arising from a bed, getting on and off the toilet and doing chores, respectively. The overall disability index was higher in the PE-HAQ (0.89 ± 0.84) than in the original HAQ (0.82 ± 0.79), although the correlation coefficient was high (r=0.881). The test-retest reliability value studied at a 10-day interval, showed a strong correlation coefficient of 0.90 measured on the two occasions. PE-HAQ showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α= 0.892). The PE-HAQ is a reliable and valid instrument that can be self-administered to Iranian RA patients to evaluate their functional disability

Effects of melatonin supplementation on weight and body fat mass percentage in overweight or obese people

Background: Studies have shown that melatonin consumption can decrease weight and body fat mass percentage. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of melatonin supplementation on weight and body fat mass percentage in overweight or obese people. Methods: This clinical trial was carried out on 38 overweight or class-I obese adults (8 men and 30 women) in Tehran in 2013. Subjects were allocated to melatonin or placebo groups. The intervention period was 12 weeks and 3 mg/day melatonin was administered. Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA and paired T-test. Findings: Weight and body mass index was significantly decreased in both groups in the study period, but these changes were only significant in the first six weeks of the study. Body fat mass percentage was significantly decreased in the melatonin group. Salivary melatonin level was not significantly different in both groups after the study period. Conclusion: With regards to the results, it seems that supplementation with 3 mg/day melatonin does not make a significant decrease in weight and body mass index, but decrease body fat mass percentage. More investigations are required to confirm the findings. Keywords: Melatonin, Overweight, Obesity, Body mass Inde

Short-Term and Mid-Term Effects of Fasting and Downset Meal Pattern on Dietary Intakes, Anthropometric Parameters, and Glycemic and Lipid Profile in Fasting Women

Background and Objective: This study assessed the mid-term changes in anthropometrical and biochemical factors as well as nutritional status and physical activity level with regard to nocturnal eating during Ramadan, for the first time.Materials and Methods: Via an easy sampling, the cohort study was conducted in 49 women aged between 20 and 45 years who were recruited from Shahid Motahari Hospital in Isfahan. The subjects were divided into two groups based on their nocturnal eating pattern. Anthropometrical and biochemical parameters were measured three days before Ramadan, on the third day of Ramadan, and thirty days after the end of Ramadan. A 147 food items frequency questionnaire was used for the assessment of nutritional status t. Repeated measure test was employed to determine changes over time, and the interaction effects between times and nocturnal eating status. Results: The body weight and body mass index of the women who consumed the nocturnal meal was significantly different from those of the subjects who did not consume the downset meal (p value =0.006). There were significant differences in energy, carbohydrate, and fat intake as well as serum triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and physical activity levels between the three time periods. Serum glucose, cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion: Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on the body weight and body mass index. Fasting causes some changes in the lipid profile; these changes can be attributed to changes in dietary habits and physical activity level during Ramadan, rather than nocturnal eating status

ASSESSMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT NUTRIENT INTAKE AND MALONDIADEHYDE PLASMA LEVEL IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND: Elevated free radical generation in inflamed joints and impaired antioxidant systems have been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The present study was performed to evaluate dietary nutrient intake and plasma oxidant status in RA patients. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: This case-control study comprised 75 RA patients and equal number of age- and gender-matched controls. Nutrient intake was estimated by using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained from each group, and as an indicator of oxidant status, plasma concentrations of malondiadehyde (MDA) were measured. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: The mean calorie intake of RA patients was lower than that of the healthy controls. Energy-adjusted intake of fat, vitamin A and &szlig;-carotene were significantly lower in patients than in control .Plasma MDA concentration was significantly higher in RA patients than in controls (4.9&plusmn;1.8 vs 2.1&plusmn;0.6 nmoles/ml respectively, P &lt; 0.01). &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: These results suggest proper antioxidant nutrient intake management may reduce free radical generation and improve antioxidant status in RA patients. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, antioxidant, malondialdehyde.</p