Relationship between urinary nitrate concentrations and cognitive function in older adults: findings from the NHANES survey.

This study evaluated the association of urinary nitrate concentrations with cognition in older subjects enrolled in the NHANES study. We also explored whether associations between urinary nitrate and cognition were modified by cardiovascular risk, vitamin D status and vitamin C intake. Two NHANES cycles were merged (2011-2012 and 2013-2014) and a total of 1,015 adults aged 60-80 (69.4 ± 0.3) years were included. Cognition was assessed using the Word List Learning, Word List Recall, Animal Fluency and the Digit Symbol Substitution tests. Urinary nitrate was analysed using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary nitrate concentrations were not associated with cognitive performance on any of the cognitive tests. Associations were also not significant in subjects at greater risk for cognitive impairment (i.e. high cardiovascular risk and non-optimal vitamin D status). Longitudinal analyses are needed to explore the associations of urinary nitrate concentrations with dietary nitrate intake and cognitive function.

The correlation of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers with glycaemic indices in healthy participants and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and adiponectin with glycaemic indices in healthy, prediabetes and diabetes patients. METHODS: The prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2018 to February 2019 at the National Diabetes Centre and the Al-Kindi Specialised Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Baghdad, Iraq, and comprised adult subjects of either gender who were normoglycaemic, those with impaired fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin levels and newly-diagnosed patients of type 2 diabetes. Anthropometric measurements biochemical investigations were done for each subject. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 80 subjects, 20(25%) were in the normoglycaemia group with a mean age of 48.8±11.9 years; 9(45%) males and 11(55%) females. Another 20(25%) were in the prediabetes group with a mean age of 52.0±5.7 years; 9(45%) males and 11(55%) females. Besides, there were 40(50%) diabetes patients with a mean age of 50.6±6.9 years; 18(45%) males and 22(55%) females (p>0.05). Adiponectin concentration was significantly lower and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the other two groups (p<0.001). There was a significantly negative correlation of adiponectin concentration and significantly positive correlation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with fasting blood sugar and glycated haemoglobin (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Poor glycaemic control was associated with higher pro-inflammatory and lower anti inflammatory markers.

Bone mineral density in adult patients with type I diabetes mellitus attending specialized center for endocrinology and diabetes in Baghdad.

OBJECTIVES: To assess bone mineral density in adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and to identify the factors that may be associated with bone status in such patients. METHODS: The cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted at the Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes in Al Rasafa, Baghdad, Iraq, from October 2017 to March 2018 and comprised patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy controls. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was done to assess bone mineral density and other characteristics of the subjects and the two groups were compared using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 90 subjects, 60(66.6%) were patients with a mean age of 27.81}5.03, and 30(33.3%) were controls with a mean age of 29.66}4.43. Overall, there were 53(59%) females and 37(41%) were males. Low bone mineral density was found in 27(45%) patients compared to 5(16.6%) controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Type 1 diabetes mellitus was found to be associated with decreased bone mineral density.

Vitamin B12 status and peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the status of vitamin B12 in patients with type 2 diabetes, and to explore any association between its deficiency and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from August, 2017, to April, 2018, at the Specialized Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes in Baghdad, Iraq. Type 2 diabetics using metformin were subjected to clinical examination for retinopathy using fundoscopy, and peripheral neuropathy using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument. Additionally, patients were asked to fill a questionnaire and their medical records were reviewed. Blood samples were obtained for the measurement of biomarkers. Vitamin B12 deficiency was recorded at ≤187 pg/ml. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients, 39(59%) were males and 27(41%) were females. The overall mean age was 53.3}9.2 years and the mean duration of diabetes was 104}71.8 months. The mean dose of metformin was 1135}496 mg and the duration of metformin use was 72}62 months. Overall, 19(29%) patients suffered from vitamin B12 deficiency. However, no significant difference was found between normal and deficit groups regarding the parameters that may affect vitamin B12 level. Also, no significant correlations were found between vitamin B12 concentration and the dose (p=0.16) or the duration of metformin use (p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the deficiency had no correlation with the rate of peripheral neuropathy.

Effect of a single dose of dextromethorphan on psychomotor performance and working memory capacity.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies show that the prolonged use of dextromethorphan produces cognitive deterioration in humans. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of dextroemthrophan on psychomotor performance and working memory capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled, and prospective study. Thirty-six (17 women, 19 men) medical students enrolled in the study; half of them (7 women, 11 men) were given placebo, while the other half (10 women, 8 men) received dextromethorphan. The choice reaction time, critical flicker fusion threshold, and N-back working memory task were measured before and after 2 h of taking the drugs. RESULTS: Dextromethorphan showed a significant deterioration in the 3-back working memory task (P<0.05). No significant changes were seen as regards the choice reaction time components (total, recognition, motor) and critical flicker fusion threshold (P>0.05). On the other hand, placebo showed no significant changes as regards the choice reaction time, critical flicker fusion threshold, and N-back working memory task (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: A single dose of dextromethorphan has no effect on attention and arousal but may significantly impair the working memory capacity.