relationship between serum ferritin and glycosylated hemoglobin in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Serum ferritin, an acute phase reactant is a marker of iron stores in the body. Several studies concluded that, serum ferritin was found to be high in uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patients. This study was carried out to investigate serum ferritin levels in poor controlled type 2 diabetes [PCD] and well controlled type 2 diabetes [WCD]

Subjects and Methods: The study comprised of 42 apparently healthy controls and 84 type 2 diabetic patients. They were recruited from the Governmental and NGO's Hospital at Cairo, Egypt. Anthropometric measurements including: weight and height were measured and body mass index [BMI] was calculated. Fasting blood glucose [FBG]; Glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAIc] and serum ferritin were determined. Patients were subdivided into PCD and WDC according to HbAIc levels

Results: BMI; FBG; HbAIc and serum ferritin were significantly higher in in type 2 diabetics compared with apparently healthy controls. Based on glycemic control; the levels of FBG and serum ferritin were elevated in patients with HbA1c >7. Moreover, there was a positive significant correlation between serum ferritin, HbA1c and FBG that was more pronounced in PCD patients

Conclusion: The present study showed positive association of serum ferritin levels with glycemic control in Type 2 diabetic patients

Insulin resistance and adipocytokine levels in high fat high fructose-fed growing rats: effects of cinnamon

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of high fat fructose [HF/HFr] diet on the onset of the characteristics of the metabolic syndrome and the levels of some adipocytokines in growing male and female rats. Also we aimed to study the possible protective effects of cinnamon [CN] against [HF/HFr] diet induced-metabolic disturbances. Forty eight growing Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups [12 rats/group; 6 males + 6 females] and were fed for a period of 6 weeks the following diets [i] basal diet, control [C] [ii] basal diet containing 20 g CN/kg diet [C+CN], [iii] high fat diet [15% beef tallow + 5% corn oil] combined with fructose [13% W/V]in drinking water [HF/HFr], [iv] HF/HFr diet containing 20 g CN/kg diet [HF/HFr+CN], HF/HFr diet resulted in elevated levels of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] index along with impaired glucose tolerance, as well as elevated serum triacylglycerols [TG], total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], resistin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor - alpha [TNF-alpha] and total oxidant capacity [TOC] with a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC] compared to control. These deleterious effects were more pronounced in male and female rats. Cinnamon reinstated most of the altered measured parameters. So HF/HFr diet developed characteristics of metabolic syndrome in growing male and female rats. Females were protected against some metabolic disturbances of HF/HFr diet. The inclusion of cinnamon in the diet was effective in modulating some aspects of metabolic parameters associated with metabolic syndrome

Determination of antioxidant vitamins and chlamydia pneumoniae IgG antibodies in patients with atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease is a wide spread disease in the entire world causing death in most cases. Disorders of lipoproteins metabolism are of the most important modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis. High intake of antioxidant vitamins e.g. vitamin E and A have been linked with a reduced risk of coronary vascular disease. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been associated with coronary vascular disease. The aim of the present work is to estimate serum levels of lipid profile; antioxidant vitamins A [retinol] and F [alpha-tocopherol] as well as Chlamydia pneumoniae lgG antibodies in Patients with Atherosclerosis. A case control study was conducted on fourty atherosclerotic patients aged 30-50 [40 +/- 10] years. The control group was another fourty healthy age and sex matched individuals. Fasting blood samples were collected from all subjects; serum was separated by centrifugation and was subjected to the determination of total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG]. high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] concentrations. Retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels were estimated by high performance liquid chromatography. Chlamydia pneumoniae specific IgG antibodies were also measured by micro-immunofluorescence technique. Serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, TC/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were significantly higher, while serum levels of HDL and alpha-tocopherol were significantly lower in patients than their corresponding control. Chlamydiapneumoniae specific IgG antibodies were detected in 50% of patients and in 7.5% of control. The present study revealed that the decreased levels of vitamin A and E together with the increased prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae lgG antibodies may represent non-traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis

Modulation of acrylamide-induced oxidative damage in rat tissues by Curcuma longa L

Curcuma longa L. has shown to exert antioxidative, anti-inflammataory and anti-carcingoenic effects. Acrylamide [ACR] is neurotoxic to experimental animals and human. Also, it has mutragenic and carcinogenic effects. The present study was carried out to investigate the possible protective effect of Curcuma longa L powder on ACR-induced oxidative damage in rats. Twenty eight adult male Sprague Dawely albino rats were divided into four groups, each of 7 rats. Group 1 served as negative control and received the basal diet for 22 days. Group 2 [positive control] fed on basal diet for 22 days, starting 11 days later ACR was added to this diet [0.34g/kg diet]. The other two groups received the basal diet supplemented with, 250 and 500mg/kg diet Curcuma longa L powder for 22 days, starting 11 days later ACR was added to these diets [0.34g/kg]. Both tested doses of Curcuma Longa L powder significantly ameliorated ACR-increased levels of MDA and decreased levels and activities of reduced glutathione [GSH] and Cooper/Zinc superoxide dismutase [Cu/ZnSOD] enzyme in liver, testes and heart, Furthermore, treatment with Curcuma Longa L powder significantly restored the elevated activity of plasma aminotransferases [AST and ALT]; alkaline phosphatase [ALP] as well as the decreased levels of plasma total protein, albumin and globulin. The higher dose [500mg/kg diet] was more potent than the lower one. These findings indicated that ACR caused disturbance in antioxidants and liver enzyme activities, which in turn indicated organ damage during exposure to ACR. Curcuma longa L powder exhibited remarkable protection against these effects

Alteration of oxidative status in rats following administration of acrylamide

Acrylamide [ACR] is a known industrial neurotoxic and carcinogenic chemical in rodents. The recent discovery of acrylamide in wide variety of commonly consumed foods has energized research efforts worldwide to define toxic mechanisms. The present study is carried out to investigate the effect of acrylamide administration on in vivo malondialdehyde [MDA, a product of lipid peroxidation], reduced glutathione [GSH] as well as copper and zinc superoxide dismutase enzyme activity [Cu/Zn SOD] of rats. Fourteen adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups each containing "7" rats. Group I served as negative control fed on basal diet and group 2 [positive control] received basal diet and acrylamide [0.34 g/ kg diet] for 11 days. Levels of MDA, GSH and activity of SOD were determined in liver, kidneys, brain, heart, testes, spleen and lungs of rats. ACR treatment significantly increased MDA in all organs; the highest increase was detected in testis [87.9%] and heart [71.5%] while the lowest one was found in kidneys [28.2%]. On the other hand, GSH levels and SOD activities were significantly reduced in ACR treated rats. However, the reduction of GSH level ranged from 10.2% to 36.5%.The inhibition of SOD activities were higher in testis [57.3%] and lungs [38.5%]. The present study showed that ACR exerts deteriorated effects on oxidative status of rats