Vitamin D deficiency and genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D-associated genes in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) and vitamin D share a unique link as vitamin D deficiency (VDD) prevails in PD. Thus, an in-depth understanding of vitamin D biology in PD might be crucial for therapeutic strategies emphasising vitamin D. Specifically, explicating the effect of VDD and genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D-associated genes in PD, like VDR (vitamin D receptor) or GC (vitamin D binding protein) may aid the process along with polymorphisms of vitamin D metabolising genes (e.g., CYP2R1 and CYP27A1) in PD. Literature review of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to vitamin D levels [GC (GC1-rs7041 and GC2-rs4588), CYP2R1, CYP24A1 and CYP27B1] and vitamin D function [VDR (FokI - rs2228570 and rs10735810; ApaI - rs7976091, rs7975232BsmI and rs1544410; and TaqI - rs731236)] was conducted to explore their relationship with PD severity globally. VDR-FokI polymorphism was reported to be significantly associated with PD in Hungarian, Chinese and Japanese populations, whereas VDR-ApaI polymorphism was found to affect PD in the Iranian population. However, VDR-TaqI and BsmI polymorphisms had no significant association with PD severity. Conversely, GC1 polymorphisms reportedly affected vitamin D levels without influencing the disease severity. CYP2R1 (excluding rs1993116) was also reportedly linked to clinical manifestations of PD. Genetic polymorphisms might cause VDD despite enough sunlight exposure and vitamin D-rich food intake, enhancing inflammation, there by influencing PD pathophysiology. Knowledge of the polymorphisms associated with VDD appears promising for developing precision vitamin D-dosing therapeutic strategies against PD.

Effects of Lunar Phases on Foot Temperature, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects.

BACKGROUND: It has been observed that the lunar phases alter the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level in type-2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) was also reported to be associated with elevated foot temperature (FT), oxidative stress, and inflammation in T2DM subjects. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the changes in FT, oxidative stress, and inflammation levels and assess the relationship of FT with oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme activity, and inflammatory markers in T2DM subjects at different lunar phases. METHODS: The plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and dorsal and plantar surface temperatures of the feet by infrared dermal thermometer were measured in 88 randomly selected T2DM subjects at different lunar phases. The levels of oxidative stress and inflammation were assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α). RESULTS: The FTs, MDA, and TNF-α were significantly increased, and G6PDH activity was significantly decreased in the new moon (NM) and full moon (FM) than in the third quarter (TQ) and first quarter (FQ) for both sexes. The FTs, MDA, and TNF-α levels were significantly positively correlated, whereas G6PDH activity was significantly negatively correlated with FPG at NM and FM in both sexes. The MFT was significantly positively correlated with MDA and TNF-α and significantly negatively correlated with G6PDH at NM and FM in T2DM subjects. CONCLUSION: The lunar phases showed a prominent influence on the FT, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status in T2DM subjects, which might be due to the existence of biological rhythm interaction with lunar electromagnetic radiations.

Possible Link Between Stress-related Factors and Altered Body Composition in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Stress is an invisible factor affecting modern day living and is strongly associated with many disease pathogenesis including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women. PCOS is the most frequent endocrinological disorder that affects women of reproductive age, leading to metabolic dysfunction and body composition alterations. Salivary amylase and cortisol are major stress mediators that have been implicated in PCOS. However, their role in altering body composition in PCOS is yet to be deciphered. AIM: The present study aimed at understanding the relation between stress-associated factors and alterations in body composition among PCOS patients. DESIGN: This study enrolled a total of 100 patients (PCOS) and 60 age-matched controls. The female patients were of ages between 13 and 30 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard assay kits were used to evaluate the α-amylase activity and cortisol level in saliva. The participants were chosen on the basis of the Rotterdam American Society for Reproductive Medicine/European Society of Human Reproduction criteria. Saliva was collected from each participant as per the protocol of Salimetrics, USA. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 for Windows. The quantitative variables are described as mean ± standard deviation. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Increased salivary cortisol level and α-amylase activity were seen in the PCOS population as compared to age-matched controls suggesting patients a sustained stress scenario in their system. Moreover, overweight PCOS participants reflected higher amylase activity than the lean patients participants. Pulse rate, body mass index (BMI), visceral adiposity, and waist-hip ratio (WHR) was considerably higher in the PCOS patients participants compared to controls. A significant correlation could be drawn between the α-amylase activity and BMI or WHR, respectively, among PCOS patients. These observations indicate a strong link between the stress marker and alterations in the body composition parameters of PCOS patients participants. CONCLUSION: Higher prevalence of stress in PCOS patients participants has a critical role in their altered body composition.