Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile & serum cytokine levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background & objectives: Fatty acids may affect the expression of genes, and this process is influenced by sex hormones. Cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), so this study was aimed to assess the association of erythrocyte membrane fatty acids with three cytokines and markers of hepatic injury in NAFLD patients and to explore whether these associations were the same in both sexes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 62 consecutive patients (32 men and 30 women) with NAFLD during the study period. Tumour necrosis factor-? (TNF-?), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were measured in a fasting serum sample, and Fibroscan was conducted for each individual. Gas chromatography was used to measure erythrocyte membrane fatty acids. Univariate and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze data. Results: In men, IL-6 had a significant (P <0.05) positive association with total ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In women, TNF-? had a significant positive association with total ?-3 (P <0.05) and ?-6 (P <0.01) PUFAs, IL-6 had a significant (P <0.05) positive association with total monounsaturated fatty acids and MCP-1 had a significant positive association with total trans-fatty acids (P <0.05). No significant associations were observed between erythrocyte membrane fatty acids and liver enzymes or Fibroscan report in both sexes. In this study, women were significantly older than men [51 (42.75-55) vs 35.5 (29-52), P <0.01], so the associations were adjusted for age and other confounders. Interpretation & conclusions: Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile was not associated with serum liver enzymes or Fibroscan reports in NAFLD patients, but it had significant associations with serum TNF-?, IL-6 and MCP-1 and these associations were probably sex dependent.

Studies on the normal synovial fluid from the carpal joints of Iranian water buffaloes: physical and biochemical parameters

Reports on the physical and biochemical parameters ofsynovial fluid in buffaloes are limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the normal parameters ofsynovial fluid on buffaloes that can be very helpful in diagnosis of arthropathy. Synovial fluid of carpal joints was collected by arthrocentesis of the right and left forelimbs in 21 water buffaloes immediately after slaughtering of animals in abattoir. The quality of mucin clot and viscosity were normal in 100% of animals. The synovial fluid was colorless in 50% of cases and the other 50% had a yellowish color. Only 77.5% of samples were transparent and 22.5% were semitransparent. The range of values for different measured parameters were: AST: [27.65 +/- 5.9] IU/L, ALT: [15.08 +/- 2.75] IU/L, LDH: [36.55 +/- 13.28] IU/L, glucose: [59.25 +/- 3.39] mg/dL, total protein: [0.89 +/- 0.055] g/dL, urea nitrogen: [7.96 +/- 1] mg/dL. There was no significant difference between groups according to age, sex and side [left and right forelimbs] for all parameters except ALT and LDH which differed according to sex, ALT and LDH were significantly [P<0.05] greater in females

Normal electrolytes value in cerebrospinal fluid and serum in the Iranian Khuzestan buffaloes

To determine concentrations of certain electrolytes in cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] and serum of Khuzestan native buffaloes, samples of CSF from lumbosacral cistern and blood from jugular vein were obtained from 70 clinically-healthy male [n = 30] and female [n = 40], mature [n = 34] and immature [n = 36] animals. Samples were analyzed for sodium and potassium by flame photometry, magnesium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, calcium by ortocresol phetalein method and phosphorous by phosphomolibdate method using an automated biochemical analyzer. Statistical analyses showed that regardless of age and sex, the mean values of sodium [139.0 +/- 0.70 mmol/1] and magnesium [1.50 +/- 0.24 mmol/1] in CSF were significantly [P<0.001] higher than their mean values in serum; 134.5 +/- 6.3 mmol/1 and 0.72 +/- 0.08 mmol/1, respectively. However, the mean values of potassium [3.47 +/- 0.67 mmol/1], calcium [2.14 +/- 0.25 mmol/1] and phosphorus [1.22 +/- 0.17 mmol/1] in CSF were significantly [P<0.001] lower than their mean values in serum; 5,34 +/- 0.92 mmol/1, 2.33 +/- 0.17 mmol/1 and 1.44 +/- 0.08 mmol/1, respectively. Moreover, in males, females, matures and immature animals, the mean values of sodium and magnesium in CSF were significantly higher than those in the serum and the mean values of potassium, calcium and phosphorus in serum were significantly higher than those in CSF [P<0.01]. Age of animals did not affect any of these electrolytes. The mean value of serum phosphorus in females was significantly higher than that in males [P<0.001]. However, the mean values for potassium, calcium and phosphorus in CSF were significantly higher in males than in females [P<0.05]

Effects of purified omega-3 fatty acids on serum lipoproteins and malondialdehyde in postmenopausal fat women receiving hormone replacement therapy

Regular intake of n-3 fatty acids of marine origin have desirable effects on serum lipoproteins and reduce coronary vascular disease [CVD]. n-3 fatty acid supplementation decreased serum triglyceride concentrations in studies in which most of the subjects were male. The effects of n-3 fatty acids supplementation in fat women especially postmenopausal fat women have received little attention. The aim of this study was to determine whether purified n-3 fatty acids have desirable effects on serum lipoproteins, malondialdehyde [MDA] and lipoprotein risk factors for CVD in postmenopausal fat women receiving hormone replacement therapy [HRT]

Materials and Methods: in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of parallel design, 35 postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy were randomly allocated to receive 2 g purified n-3 fatty acids or placebo for 10 weeks. Serum lipoproteins and MDA were determined on days 0 and 70

Results: serum levels of triglycerides [TG] decreased significantly in the n-3 fatty acids group at the end of study compared to the initial values, and also compared to control group [26%, p< 0_003 and 29%, p< 0_01, respectively]_In the n-3 fatty acids group, serum levels of TG/HDL-C decreased significantly at the end of the study compared to initial values and, at the end of the study, compared to control group as well [23 %, P <0_05 and 28%, p< 0.05]

Conclusion: supplementation with purified n-3 fatty acids can favorably influence selected CHD risk factors, particularly by achieving marked reduction in serum TG and TG/HDL-C levels in postmenopausal fat w omen receiving HRT