Effect of Soy Isoflavones Supplementation on Adiponectin Levels in Postmenopausal Women

Decreased adiponectin levels has been demonstrated in postmenopausal (PMP) women. Soy isoflavones, as an herbal product have been shown to increase adiponectin level but the results are inconclusive and inconsistent. The present study reassessed the data on the impact of soy isoflavones supplementation on adiponectin levels in PMP women through a meta-analysis. A systematic search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Web of science, Scopus and the Cochrane library. The literature search identified 830 studies with duplicates. Out of those, 80 were screened for title and abstract and 12 articles were ultimately selected for the analysis. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses, based on the moderator variables such as treatment duration, dose of soy isoflavones and BMI were performed. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The results revealed that soy isoflavones supplementation significantly increased the circulating level of adiponectin in PMP women (SMD: 0.36 µg/mL; 95% CI (0.05 to 0.66); P= 0.02). No publication bias was observed using Begg's (P = 0.38) and Egger's (P = 0.07) tests. Sensitivity analysis indicated the results were completely powerful and stable. Moreover, Meta-regression and subgroup analyses indicated a significant increase of adiponectin levels in subgroups of dose > 50 mg and treatment duration less or equal 3 months. Our findings showed significantly increase in adiponectin levels after isoflavones-supplemented soy consumption in postmenopausal women, who received dose > 50 mg of soy isoflavones in treatment duration ≤ 3 months.

Semi-Refined Carrageenan Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Cell Membrane Alterations in Leukocytes

Aim: To assess the effects of semi-refined carrageenan (E407a) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and LPS-mediated cell membrane alterations in leukocytes. Methods: Blood samples collected from 8 intact rats were incubated with E407a (10 mg/ml), E407a (50 mg/ml), LPS (1 µg/ml), E407a (10 mg/ml) + LPS (1 µg/ml), E407a (50 mg/ml) + LPS (1 µg/ml) and without those compounds (controls) for 2 h in RPMI 1640 medium enriched with 5% fetal bovine serum. ROS generation in PBMCs obtained from the incubated samples was estimated by flow cytometry using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) staining. The impact of E407a, LPS and their mixture on leukocyte cell membranes was evaluated spectrofluorimetrically using the fluorescent probe 2-(2¢-hydroxy-phenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazole. Results: Expectedly, incubation with LPS induced ROS generation in PBMCs and decreased the lipid order of cell membranes in leukocytes. E407a alone was found to alter neither ROS production in PBMCs, nor membrane lipid order in leukocytes. Semi-refined carrageenan partially reduced LPS-mediated ROS overproduction in PBMCs and cell membrane alterations in leukocytes. Conclusion: E407a attenuates LPS-induced alterations of redox homeostasis in rat PBMCs and LPS-mediated modifications of cell membrane lipid order in leukocytes.

Nutrient Composition, Antioxidant Activities and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Jujube Fruit

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) fruit belongs to the Rhamnaceous family and is widely located in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia as well as in the Mediterranean regions including Jordan. Therefore, the aim of this review was to illustrate the nutritional value of jujube fruit and its importance in human health protection as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Recently, several scientific reports have been carried out about the presence of many biologically active compounds from Z. jujuba, which may have high potential benefit in human nutrition, health, and disease. Based on previous studies, jujube fruit can possess good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity rendering it a functional food. Since jujube fruit has diverse biological activity, further biological studies including clinical-based studies are recommended to explore the health promoting effect of jujube.

Anthropometry and Liver Function Parameters in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a metabolic condition commonly associated with central adiposity and altered liver function parameters (LFPs). Several studies have suggested these altered LFPs as a result of fatty liver diseases (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases) often prevalent in MS. Since altered LFPs are very common in MS, there is a possibility they can be used as predictors of MS. However, only a few studies have been carried out to evaluate this possibility. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the potential of LFPs as predictors or risk factors of MS. The study groups included 50 individuals diagnosed with MS (case group) and 50 apparently normal individuals (control) from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Anthropometric measurements, phlebotomy, liver function tests, and lipid profile estimations were done using standard procedures. (The result and conclusion section has been omitted).

Impact of Biogenic Amines on the Growth of Green Microalgae

Background: The goal of this research project was to test various neuroactive amines in the capacity of growth stimulators/accelerators of the green microalgae Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella vulgaris that have much biotechnological potential because they can be used for producing drugs, food ingredients, cosmetics, and biofuel. The issue of the ecological role of the biogenic amines in terms of interspecies communication in aqueous ecosystems was also addressed in this work. Methods: S. quadricauda strain GEHD and C. vulgaris strain ALP were cultivated in the light with constant aeration at 24oC in a minerals-containing medium. Experimental systems contained 1, 10 or 100 mM of dopamine hydrochloride, histamine hydrochloride, norepinephrine hydrochloride, or serotonin hydrochloride that were added at inoculation as freshly prepared aqueous solutions. Algal cells were counted using a light microscope , and their number in 1 mL of culture was calculated. The culture liquid and sonicated biomass of S. quadricauda and C. vulgaris were tested for the presence of endogenous amines using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an amperometric detector. Results: The biogenic amines serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and histamine significantly stimulated the growth of S. quadricauda, at concentrations of 1 and/or 10 mM but not 100 mM. Histamine was the most efficient stimulator, causing an average 65% increase in biomass accumulation at the end of the cultivation period. The effects of serotonin, dopamine and histamine on C. vulgaris were reported in our previous publication [1], but this work contains the results of our experiments with the previously untested norepinephrine that slightly stimulated the growth of C. vulgaris. HPLC analysis failed to reveal any endogenous amines in the culture liquid and biomass of both microalgae. Conclusions: Since biogenic amines stimulate the growth of the microalgae S. quadricauda and C. vulgaris but are not synthesized by them, we suggest that the algae normally respond to amines produced by other components of aqueous ecosystems, including zooplankton and fish that are known to release significant amounts of biogenic amines into the environment. The data obtained hold some promise with regard to developing a relatively economical technique of boosting algal biomass production.

Evaluation of Bone Health among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and osteoporosis remain one of the major public health problems worldwide with a considerable burden on society. Health belief toward osteoporosis is fundamental to all osteoporosis management programs and is often a pre-requisite for initiating desired behavioral changes. The aim of this study was to assess: the level of the Malay version of the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS-M) among T2DM patients; the relation of socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data with OHBS-M level and the correlation between OHBS-M score and T-score. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study design was conducted among T2DM patients. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a convenient sampling method. All T2DM patients underwent the bone mineral density measurement using a quantitative ultrasound scan (QUS). Results: The result showed the average age of the participants was 62.67± 9.24 years. The study findings revealed that the average total score of OHBS-M 143.08±24.22 (median 141.50) with 85.60% of T2DM patients had a low level of osteoporosis health belief. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the QUS T-scores and osteoporosis health beliefs. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that the assessment of T2DM patients’ bone health and health belief toward osteoporosis is crucial to improve an osteoporosis preventive strategy for high-risk populations.

Role of Vitamin D in Preventing Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Introduction: Colorectal carcinoma is one of the cancers with a high disease burden globally. Previous observational studies have found a connection between colorectal cancer incidence with sunlight exposure and vitamin D levels. Subsequent studies investigated this relationship further and found various anti-tumoral pathways regulated by vitamin D in colorectal tissue. This paper aims to elucidate the actions of those pathways in preventing the malignant transformation of the colorectal cell by reviewing relevant literature. Methods: A search was conducted on several medical literature electronic databases for original research studying the effects of vitamin D treatment on colorectal adenoma and colorectal cancer and its underlying anti-tumoral mechanism. A total of 122 studies were included for evaluation. Results: Twenty-seven studies passed for analysis. These in vitro and in vivo study reveals that vitamin D treatment can suppress cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, maintain cellular differentiation, reduce the pro-inflammatory response, inhibit angiogenesis, and hinder metastatic progression in colorectal cancer and colorectal adenoma cells by regulating associated gene transcription or directly prevents activation of selected signalling pathways. Five studies have also shown that adding calcium to vitamin D treatment increases the anti-tumoral activity of vitamin D through cross-talk between both of their pathways. Conclusion: Vitamin D could potentially impede colorectal cancer transformation and growth through interaction with various signalling pathways and regulating gene transcription. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm whether vitamin D can be used as the basis of targeted colorectal cancer therapy using its inherent anti-tumoral properties.

Antimicrobial Activity Derivatives 2H-pirano[2,3-c]piridines against Pathogens of Intestinal Yersiniosis

Background: An important aspect in the treatment of patients with intestinal yersiniosis is the administration of effective antibiotic therapy. Performed research aimed to determine the spectrum and level of antimicrobial activity of 2H-pyrano[2,3- c]pyridine derivatives on the museum and clinical strains of gram-negative microorganisms Yersinia enterocolitica. Methodology: The object of the study was 28 synthetic derivatives of 2H-pyrano[2,3- c]pyridine. The compounds were studied according to their chemical structure. We used the method of serial dilutions in Muller-Hinton liquid nutrient medium with a museum’s and clinical strains of Y.enterocolitica. Results: Studies indicate the promise of further study of the properties of 2H- pyrono[2,3-c]pyridine to create an effective antimicrobial medicine. According to the results of studies on action of antimicrobial compounds synthesized on the basis of 2H-pyrano[2,3-с]pyridine derivatives, it was found that the MIC of compounds for all Y. enterocolitica strains was 100.0 μg/ml. The MBCC of most cultures of Yersinia (72.3 %) was 200.0 μg/ml. Compound 2{3} had a pronounced antiyersiniotic activity, the inhibitory effect of which was manifested at a concentration of 25.0 μg/ml. Retarding the growth of most Yersinia strains (95.3%) with a MIC of 50.0 μg/ml, the MIC of compounds ranged from 50.0 to 200.0 μg/ml. After statistical data processing, pyridine derivatives (compounds 2{3} and 3{5}) were identified, possessing an effective bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect on Y. enterocolitica strains. Conclusions: The results of the research showed a high antimicrobial activity of 2H- pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine derivatives. The highest activity against Y. enterocolitica was found for 2-N2-arylimino-5-hydroxy-methyl-8-methyl-2H-pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-3-N1- aricarboxamide derivatives.

Cefdinir Inclusion in Mesoporous Silica as Effective Dissolution Enhancer with Improved Physical Stability

Objective: The objective of this research was to enhance the physical stability and the dissolution rate of cefdinir, a BCS class IV drug, characterized by low and variable bioavailability due to both its low solubility and low permeability. Methods: Cefdinir was loaded into the mesoporous silica (SBA-15), by using the solvent immersion method starting from different organic solvents. And then formula (F3), which exhibited the highest loading percentage, was selected to study its drug release in media with different pH (1.2, 4.5, and 6.8), and has been fully characterized by using: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Powder X-ray Diffraction, and has been subjected to accelerated stability tests using different temperatures and relative humidity. Drug release kinetics were studied by using the following models: Probit, Gompertz, Weibull, and Logistic. Results: The results showed a remarkable dissolution improvement of cefdinir from the loaded silica in comparison to the crystalline drug at the different studied media. Drug release behaviors were well simulated by the Weibull model for F3 in all studied media and for pure Cefdinir in phosphate buffer only, and by the Gompertz function for pure Cefdinir in HCl buffer and Acetate buffer. FTIR results showed hydrogen bonds formed between the drug and silica, DSC and PXRD results revealed the transformation of cefdinir into an amorphous form upon adsorption. Stability studies under different conditions revealed the ability of mesoporous silica to maintain the amorphous state of the drug, which has been formed upon adsorption, and to prevent re-organization in the crystal nucleus of the drug molecules. Conclusion: Thus, loading cefdinir onto mesoporous silica can be used as a promising method to enhance drug dissolution, and maintain the physical stability of its amorphous form.

Comparative Effects of Luteolin and Quercetin on Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Cells

Purpose: Quercetin has been reported as a more potent inhibitor of fat accumulation than other flavonoids. However, little information is available regarding the strength and mechanism of the repressive action of luteolin on fat accumulation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the comparative effects of luteolin and quercetin on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated by treatment with insulin, dexamethasone, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine in the presence of luteolin or quercetin. Alterations in triacylglycerol (TG) levels, lipid-filled adipocyte quantity, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) were measured. Results: Both luteolin and quercetin reduced TG levels, the number of lipid-filled adipocytes, and the mRNA expression levels of C/EBPα and PPARγ; however, these effects occurred with lower concentrations of luteolin than quercetin. Conclusions: These results suggest that luteolin may be more potent than quercetin in inhibiting adipocyte differentiation. These effects may be explained by differences in the inhibitory effects of the two compounds on C/EBPα and PPARγ expression. This study suggests that luteolin might be a beneficial dietary supplement for obesity and lifestyle-related diseases.