ABSTRACT
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] is related to the gut microbiota with numerous molecular mechanisms. Modulating the gut microbiota by probiotics could be effective in management of T2DM. The aim of the present trial was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus casei on glycemic control and serum sirtuin1 [SIRT1] and fetuin-A in patients with T2DM
Methods: Forty patients with T2DM [n = 20 for each group] were divided into intervention [probiotic] and placebo groups. The intervention group received a daily capsule containing 108 cfu of L. casei for eight weeks. The patients in placebo group took capsules containing maltodextrin for the same time duration. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake questionnaires, and blood samples were collected, and the patients were assessed by an endocrinologist at the beginning and at the end of the trial
Results: Fasting blood sugar, insulin concentration, and insulin resistance significantly decreased in probiotic group compared with placebo group [-28.32 [-50.23 to -6.41], 0.013; -3.12 [-5.90 to -0.35], 0.028; -32.31 [-55.09 to -9.54], 0.007, respectively]. Moreover, HbA1c reduced after intervention, but the reduction was not significant [-0.45 [-0.96 to 0.05], 0.077]. In comparison with placebo, the L. casei supplementation significantly increased SIRT1 and decreased fetuin-A levels at the end of the trial [0.52 [0.026 to 1.02], 0.040; -17.56 [-32.54 to -2.58], 0.023, respectively]
Conclusion:L. casei supplementation affected SIRT1 and fetuin-A levels in a way that improved glycemic response in subjects with T2DM. Affecting the SIRT1 and fetuin-A levels introduces a new known mechanism of probiotic action in diabetes management
ABSTRACT
The amount of literature concerning the implication of the red cell distribution width [RDW] in the assessment of ulcerative colitis [UC] activity is rather limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential role of RDW in the evaluation of UC disease activity. A total of 96 patients with UC and 51 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in a cross-sectional study. Clinical disease activity was defined using the numerical Disease Activity Index [DAI]. In addition to RDW, serum C-reactive protein [CRP] levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates [ESR], and platelet counts [PLT] were measured. AThere were 47 [about 49%] patients with that had active UC. The RDW was significantly higher in patients with UC than in controls [p=0.001] and active versus patients in remission [p<0.001]. RDW was significantly correlated with DAI scores, ESR, CRP and PLT in active patients. There was a significant correlation between RDW with DAI scores and CRP levels in patients who were in remission. RDW was elevated in UC patients in comparison with healthy controls and increased markedly in active disease. It was also strongly correlated with clinical disease activity scores and inflammatory parameters such as ESR and CRP. RDW, as a cost-effective tool, may be an additional parameter to assess disease activity in UC.