Association of cigarette and water-pipe smoking with increased visceral adiposity, glycemic intolerance and hematological derangement in Iraqi healthy smokers

Abstract The present study aims to investigate the impacts of cigarette smoking (CS) and water-pipe smoking (WPS) on the visceral adiposity index (VAI), hematological characteristics, and glycemic tolerance in Iraqi healthy smokers. A total of 528 healthy males from different locations of Baghdad city were allocated to three groups; nonsmokers (176), cigarette smokers (178), and WP smokers (174). Baseline characteristics, anthropometric and hematological markers and were reported. Glycemic control was evaluated using the glucose tolerance test. The evidence of elevated VAI, disrupted hematological markers, and impaired glucose tolerance was significantly (P<0.001) different compared with non-smokers and related to the duration of smoking. The impacts of WPS seem to be significantly greater than CS in certain parameters (hemoglobin, hematocrit, methemoglobin, and 2-hour glucose tolerance values). In conclusion, CS and WPS negatively impacted body fat distribution, glucose tolerance, and hematological markers. There is a positive association between the rate of smoking and obesity, glycemic intolerance in both groups

Gingko biloba extract improves the lipid profile, inflammatory markers, leptin level and the antioxidant status of T2DM patients poorly responding to metformin: A double- blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract The present study aims to evaluate the effects of Ginkgo biloba (GKB) extract as "add- on" therapy with metformin on the lipid profile, inflammatory markers, leptin and the total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is a multi- center, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blinded clinical study. Sixty patients were allocated into two groups: control and treatment groups; they received orally either 120 mg starch/capsule or 120mg GKB/capsule, respectively as an adjuvant with metformin for 90 days. Blood samples were obtained at zero time and after 90 days. The blood was utilized for analysis of the lipid profile, inflammatory markers, leptin, and TAOC. The GKB extract produced a significant decrease in the levels of TG, LDL-c, and CRP, with a significant increase in HDL-c compared to baseline values. There were no significant changes reported in the placebo-treated group. It also produced a significant decrease in the concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and leptin compared to baseline values and placebo-treated groups with a significant increase in TAOC compared to baseline values. In conclusion, GKB extract, as an adjuvant with metformin, decreases inflammatory mediators, leptin level and improves the antioxidant status and lipid profile of T2DM patients improperly managed with metformin

Effects of progesterone and estradiol on the inflammatory and apoptotic markers of ovariectomized rats challenged with acute septic systemic inflammation

The inflammatory responses during septic inflammation were affected by the differential role of progesterone and estrogen that demonstrated pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory roles. This study was designed to evaluate the differential effects of estradiol and progesterone supplementation on the inflammatory and apoptotic responses in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of acute systemic septic inflammation (SSI). This study was conducted on 60 female Wistar rats. 40 mg/kg estradiol and 5 mg/kg progesterone were given subcutaneous (s.c.) to OVX rats, after the induction of SSI through caecum puncture with a 21-gauge needle. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), Alanine transaminase (ALT), estradiol, and progesterone were evaluated; additionally, Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Cyclooxygenase (COX)-II, and caspase-3 were evacuated in liver tissue homogenates using the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. In OVX rats challenged with SSI, serum TNF-α, CRP, and ALT levels were significantly increased associated with a decrease in serum estradiol levels. They also showed overexpression of iNOS and increased the activity of COX-II and caspase-3 in the liver compared to non-OVX rats subjected to SSI. Supplementation with estradiol significantly decreases all serum and liver tissue markers of inflammation and decreased apoptosis. In contrast, in OVX rats supplemented with progesterone, SSI resulted in a significant increase in the studied markers. In conclusion, the supplementation of estradiol in OVX rats challenged with SSI significantly attenuated the systemic and liver inflammatory and apoptotic markers. Meanwhile, the supplementation with progesterone exacerbates the effects of the inflammatory markers and increases the tendency of apoptosis in the liver tissue.

Clinical efficacy of resveratrol as an adjuvant with meloxican in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis patients: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the adjuvant use of resveratrol with meloxicam on the clinical scores of knee OA patients. This was a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial involving 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis performed at the Shar Teaching Hospital, Sulaimani General Hospital and Specialised Rheumatology Center, Sulaimani City from December 2016 to September 2017. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by measuring the changes from baseline in the KOOS score, WOMAC index, and VAS-100 score after 90 days of treatment. Resveratrol significantly improves the knee OA pain and associated symptoms compared with placebo, and both clinical scores were found to be eligible for following treatment outcomes. In conclusion, resveratrol, when used in combination with meloxicam, improves pain and symptom scores in patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA compared with placebo. The intervention with a dietary supplement may significantly impact the pain and overall quality of life in patients with knee OA.

Anti-inflammatory effects of boron alone or as adjuvant with dexamethasone in animal models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation.

Background: Side effects of anti-inflammatory agents are a major problem during clinical use. The development of a newer, effective, and safe anti-inflammatory agent should be considered. Boron-containing compounds are found effective as anti-inflammatory agents with relatively low side effects. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of boron in animal models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation. Methods: Sixty-six Wistar rats were allocated into five groups; 1st (6 rats) treated with vehicle only without induction as a negative control; 2nd (12 rats) allocated into two subgroups, treated with vehicle only, with induction of chronic and granulomatous inflammation, as appositive control. 3rd group (24 rats) allocated into four subgroups, treated with different doses of boron (3 and 6 mg/kg) in both models. Fourth group (12 rats) treated with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) in the same models. 5th group (12 rats used) treated with boron (3 mg/kg) with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) in the same models. Results: Boron, in a dose-dependent pattern significantly decreases inflammation in rat models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation. Combination of boron with dexamethasone significantly suppresses inflammation in both models, which is significantly higher than all of the effects produced by other approaches of treatment. Conclusion: Boron, in a dose-dependent pattern, effectively suppresses formaldehyde-induced chronic inflammation and cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats when used alone or as an adjuvant with dexamethasone. It may be considered as a potential treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions.