Beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acids on cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a clinical trial

Objective: Jo determine the effect of supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on circulatory resis-tin and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1] levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] patients

Subjects and Methods: This was a 10-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of n-3 PUFAs [2,700 mg/day] versus placebo [soft gels containing 900 mg of edible paraffin]. Forty-four T2DM patients were supplemented with n-3 PUFAs and another 44 patients received placebo (3 patients discontinued the trial]. Serum resistin, MCP-1, and the lipid profile were measured before and after supplementation. The adi-ponectin-resistin index [1 + Iog[10] [resistin] - Iog10 [adiponec-tin]] and atherogenic index [Iog[10] triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol] of plasma [an indicator of cardiovascular complications] were assessed. The independent Student t test was used to assess the differences between the supplement and placebo groups and the paired f test to analyze the before/after changes

Results: In this study, n-3 PUFAs reduced serum MCP-1 levels [from 260.5 to 230.5 pg/ ml_;p = 0.002], but they remained unchanged in the placebo group, n-3 PUFAs could not decrease serum resistin levels. The adiponectin-resistin index was significantly reduced after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs when compared to theplacebo. The atherogenic index was also significantly improved after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs [from 1.459 to 1.412; p = 0.006]

Conclusions: The MCP-1 levels and lipid profile were improved after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs, but resistin serum levels were not changed. Hence, the anti-inflammatory effects of n-3 PUFAs might be mediated by targeting MCP-1

Effects of vitamin A, C and E, or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the level of paraoxonase and arylesterase activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: an investigation of activities in plasma, and heart and liver homogenates

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study was designed and conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin A, C and E supplementation, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the activity of paraoxonase and arylesterase in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 64 male Sprague Dawley® rats, each weighing 250 g, were randomly distributed into four groups: (a) normal control; (b) diabetic control; (c) diabetic with vitamin A, C and E supplementation; and (d) diabetic with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The animals were anaesthetised after four weeks of intervention, and paraoxonase and arylesterase activity in blood plasma, and liver and heart homogenates were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Arylesterase activity in the heart and liver homogenates was significantly lower in the diabetic control group than in the normal control group (p < 0.01). Vitamin A, C and E supplementation, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly increased liver arylesterase activity (p < 0.05). No significant change was observed in paraoxonase activity and other investigated factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vitamin A, C and E, or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation were found to increase liver arylesterase activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These supplements may be potential agents for the treatment of diabetes mellitus complications.</p>

Evaluation of vitamin D status in newly diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris patients

Pemphigus vulgaris [PV] is an autoimmune blistering disorder of the skin or mucosa. Since low vitamin D status has been linked to many immune disorders, we designed this study to compare the vitamin D status in PV patients with healthy controls. In this case-control study, vitamin D status of 32 newly diagnosed PV patients was compared with 36 healthy control subjects. All patients were selected from the specialized dermatology departments of Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in a 2-year period [2009-2010]. The severity of the disease was estimated according to Harman's scores. Serum concentration of 25[OH]D was measured by Roche Elecsys System. Data were analyzed by independent t-test. Both groups were similar based on sex, age and body mass index. The mean duration of disease was 5.57 +/- 0.93 months. The mean oral and skin severities were 1.81 +/- 0.20 and 2.31 +/- 0.17 respectively, based on Harman's scores. Serum 25[OH]D was significantly lower in PV patients compared to controls [-8.90; 95% CI, 2.29-15.51 and P = 0.009]. There was a negative correlation between vitamin D level and the oral severity of disease [r = -0.39 and P = 0.02]. PV patients had significantly lower serum level of 25[OH]D compared to healthy subjects which might contribute to worsen the disease. These data indicate the importance of improving vitamin D level in pemphigus patients