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Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024The interplay between thyroid function and kidney graft function following kidney transplantation remains incompletely understood. Thyroid disorders are more prevalent...
The interplay between thyroid function and kidney graft function following kidney transplantation remains incompletely understood. Thyroid disorders are more prevalent in kidney transplant recipients than in the general population and are associated with poorer outcomes. This prospective, single-center study was designed to estimate thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (FT4), as well as anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-Tg), and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI)) and its influence on kidney graft function among a cohort of 23 kidney transplant recipients during a follow-up period of 12 months. Significantly increased levels of T4 and T3 were observed 12 months post-transplantation, with FT3 levels increasing significantly after 6 months. The prevalence of immeasurably low anti-Tg antibodies rose during follow-up. Initially, 8% of patients showed positive TSI, which turned negative for all after 6 months. A statistically significant correlation was found between the initial TSH and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value 6 months after transplantation ( = 0.023). The graft function was stable. Proteinuria was statistically significantly lower 12 months after transplantation. Identifying additional risk factors, understanding their impact on kidney graft function, and recognizing cardiovascular comorbidities could enhance patient care. Notably, this study marks the first prospective investigation into thyroid function after kidney transplantation in Croatia, contributing valuable insights to the global understanding of this complex interplay.
PubMed: 38930088
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123559 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The increasing incidence of autoimmune diseases in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients highlights the influence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes on their...
BACKGROUND
The increasing incidence of autoimmune diseases in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients highlights the influence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes on their development. This study aims to determine genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases in T1DM patients, including thyroid disease and celiac diseases, and explore its correlation with vitamin D deficiency.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study involving thirty-six T1DM children was conducted. Typing was performed for the HLA A, B, C, DP, DR, and DQ loci. Regression analysis linked DR-DQ haplotypes to T1DM and the associated conditions.
RESULTS
The most frequent predisposing alleles and haplotypes were HLA-DR3 (70.27%), DQ2 (70.27%), DR3-DQ2 (70.27%), DQB1*02:01 (70.27%), A02 (54.05%), whereas the most prevalent protecting allele was DPB1*04:01 (52.63%). Positive correlations were observed between positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and the absence of protective alleles (DPB1*04:02, = 0.036; DPB1*04:01, = 0.002). Associations were found between the absence of DPB1*04:01 and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies ( = 0.03). HLA allele DPB1*03:01 was linked with vitamin D deficiency ( = 0.021). Positive anti-transglutaminase antibodies correlated with C03:03 ( = 0.026) and DRB1*04:01-DQA1*03-DQB1*03:01 ( < 0.0001) and the lack of DQA1*01:03-DQB1*06:03-DRB1*13:01 ( < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
The predisposing T1DM haplotypes were associated with the presence of anti-transglutaminase and anti-thyroid antibodies, indicating a genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases.
PubMed: 38929763
DOI: 10.3390/life14060781 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Vitamin D, an essential nutrient, plays a crucial role in numerous biological functions, acting as a hormone and being important for the proper functioning of the immune... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D, an essential nutrient, plays a crucial role in numerous biological functions, acting as a hormone and being important for the proper functioning of the immune system. This review illustrates the interactions between adequate vitamin D levels and an appropriate immune response, highlighting the implications for Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), a chronic inflammation of the thyroid characterized by the production of autoantibodies. A comprehensive review of the existing literature shows that vitamin D inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to an improvement in the clinical picture in HT by switching from a pro-inflammatory to immune balance. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to reduce elevated serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, a key marker of HT. Although the results are conflicting, the evidence suggests that an adequate vitamin D intake supports the immune function and counteracts autoimmune conditions such as HT by improving their symptoms. There is evidence of vitamin D's key role in supporting the immune system function and managing autoimmunity, such as in HT. An adequate vitamin D intake is crucial for improving the clinical picture and the symptoms of HT.
PubMed: 38929753
DOI: 10.3390/life14060771 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant global health burden that necessitates the exploration of effective and accessible therapeutic options. Phytotherapy has played a...
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant global health burden that necessitates the exploration of effective and accessible therapeutic options. Phytotherapy has played a vital role in healthcare, with plant extracts being integral to traditional medicinal practices. The therapeutic potential of (Rose of Sharon), a plant with a rich ethnobotanical history, in the management of DM and its associated complications was investigated. In this study, the therapeutic potential of L. extract (HSE) against DM in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was assessed, focusing on its effects on glucose regulation, antioxidative defense, and liver protection. The administration of the HSE extract substantially reduced hyperglycemia and increased insulin production, with concurrent improvements in body weight and hydration. The enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), suggests reduced oxidative stress, which is further supported by molecular docking results with the 3GTV superoxide dismutase enzyme, showing a binding energy of -6.3 kcal/mol. A decrease in MDA levels also indicates a reduction in oxidative stress. Notably, HSE treatment led to decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and improved lipid profiles, indicating its hepatoprotective and lipid-modifying benefits. These findings support the inclusion of HSE as an adjunctive therapy in DM management strategies. This study promotes the consideration of L. therapeutic properties in global health contexts.
PubMed: 38929670
DOI: 10.3390/life14060686 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2024This study investigated the effects of the dietary protein level and rumen-protected methionine and lysine (RPML) on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and...
This study investigated the effects of the dietary protein level and rumen-protected methionine and lysine (RPML) on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and serum indexes of yaks. Thirty-six male yaks were randomly assigned to a two by three factorial experiment with two protein levels, 15.05% and 16.51%, and three RPML levels: 0% RPML; 0.05% RPMet and 0.15% RPLys; and 0.1% RPMet and 0.3% RPLys. The trial lasted for sixty days. The results showed that the low-protein diet increased the DMI and feed conversion ratio of yaks. The diet supplemented with RPML increased the activities of IGF1 and INS and nutrient digestibility. The high-protein diet decreased the rumen butyrate concentration and increased the rumen isovalerate concentration. The low-protein diet supplemented with RPML increased the rumen pH and the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, butyrate and NH-N; the high-protein diet supplemented with a high level of RPML decreased the rumen pH and the concentrations of isobutyrate, isovalerate, propionate and NH-N. The low-protein diet supplemented with RPML increased the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity, along with the concentrations of malondialdehyde and amino acids such as aspartic acid, lysine, cysteine, etc. In conclusion, a low-protein diet supplemented with RPML is beneficial for rumen and body health, physiological response, and metabolic status in yaks.
PubMed: 38929369
DOI: 10.3390/ani14121751 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2024The intestinal microbiome changes with age, influencing the host's health and immune status. () positively affects intestinal function in humans and animals, but its...
The intestinal microbiome changes with age, influencing the host's health and immune status. () positively affects intestinal function in humans and animals, but its effects on gut health and the microbiota profile in aged dogs have not been thoroughly investigated. Twenty aged Labrador Retrievers were divided into two groups: a control group (CON) and a group (SC). The experiment lasted for 42 days, with assessments of their intestinal barrier function, inflammatory factors, antioxidant markers, and fecal microbiome composition. The results showed that dietary reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the serum ( < 0.05). In the SC group, plasma superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities increased, while the level of malondialdehyde significantly decreased ( < 0.05). Additionally, dietary lowered the serum zonulin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels ( < 0.05) and inhibited fecal ammonia production ( < 0.05). Furthermore, the microbiota profile showed that dietary decreased the abundance of Firmicutes but increased the Chao index, the abundance of Bacteroidetes, and the proportion of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ( < 0.05). To conclude, dietary can regulate the gut's microbial structure and gut health, which may contribute to the overall health of companion animals as they age.
PubMed: 38929332
DOI: 10.3390/ani14121713 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024To evaluate the antioxidant activity and oxidative damage by relaxing, wounding, and seeding of a saibo of different origin on hosts, five oyster treatments were...
To evaluate the antioxidant activity and oxidative damage by relaxing, wounding, and seeding of a saibo of different origin on hosts, five oyster treatments were included: (1) relaxed (REL) but neither wounded nor seeded; (2) relaxed and wounded (WOU) but not seeded; (3) relaxed, wounded, and seeded with an allograft (ALL); (4) relaxed, wounded, and seeded with an autograft (AUT); and (5) unrelaxed, unwounded, and unseeded as control (CTR). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) activity were quantified between 3 and 24 h post-seeding. Compared to the CTR oysters, which did not suffer oxidative stress, SOD activity significantly decreased in the gonad and digestive gland in all treatments and decreased in mantle tissue in AUT oysters; this indicates that the entire process of preparing oysters for pearl culture (relaxing, wounding, and seeding) generates oxidative stress in the host. CAT was not a sensitive enzyme for measuring the short-term response of oysters to the wounding-seeding processes but rather a more prolonged or chronic stress. Similar to SOD, the lowest GPx and TBARS activity in seeded oysters evidenced their susceptibility to oxidative stress and damage, particularly in the WOU treatment. Evidence from this study indicates that SOD is a more sensitive enzyme for measuring the short-term response of the host oyster to the wounding and seeding of a saibo. It is also clear that the host undergoes stress at all stages of the pearl culture process, mostly during gonad wounding and regardless of the origin of saibo.
PubMed: 38929162
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060723 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Djulis (), a traditional Taiwanese crop enriched with phenolic compounds and betalain pigments, is associated with various health benefits, including antioxidant and...
Djulis (), a traditional Taiwanese crop enriched with phenolic compounds and betalain pigments, is associated with various health benefits, including antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. This study analysed the phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity of extracts from both the hull and kernel of Djulis. The hull extract, which contained higher levels of flavonoids and exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to the kernel extract, was selected for further in vivo studies. These experiments showed that oral administration of the Djulis hull crude extract significantly mitigated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice by increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reducing plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and enhancing liver levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4). Additionally, the extract demonstrated potential in inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, a critical signalling pathway in inflammation and apoptosis, offering insights into its protective mechanisms. These findings underscore Djulis hull's potential as a functional food ingredient for ALI prevention and propose a valuable application for agricultural by-products.
PubMed: 38929160
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060721 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The importance of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in plants has been highlighted due to its critical role in mitigating metal toxicity, specifically countering the...
The importance of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in plants has been highlighted due to its critical role in mitigating metal toxicity, specifically countering the inhibitory effects of copper stress on rice plants. This study involved pre-treating rice plants with 1 mM GABA for one week, followed by exposure to varying concentrations of copper at 50 μM, 100 μM, and 200 μM. Under copper stress, particularly at 100 μM and 200 μM, plant height, biomass, chlorophyll content, relative water content, mineral content, and antioxidant activity decreased significantly compared to control conditions. However, GABA treatment significantly alleviated the adverse effects of copper stress. It increased plant height by 13%, 18%, and 32%; plant biomass by 28%, 52%, and 60%; chlorophyll content by 12%, 30%, and 24%; and relative water content by 10%, 24%, and 26% in comparison to the C50, C100, and C200 treatments. Furthermore, GABA treatment effectively reduced electrolyte leakage by 11%, 34%, and 39%, and the concentration of reactive oxygen species, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), by 9%, 22%, and 27%, hydrogen peroxide (HO) by 12%, 38%, and 30%, and superoxide anion content by 8%, 33, and 39% in comparison to C50, C100, and C200 treatments. Additionally, GABA supplementation led to elevated levels of glutathione by 69% and 80%, superoxide dismutase by 22% and 125%, ascorbate peroxidase by 12% and 125%, and catalase by 75% and 100% in the C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to the C100 and C200 treatments. Similarly, GABA application upregulated the expression of GABA shunt pathway-related genes, including gamma-aminobutyric transaminase () by 38% and 80% and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase () by 60% and 94% in the C100+G and C200+G groups, respectively, as compared to the C100 and C200 treatments. Conversely, the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid dehydrogenase () was downregulated. GABA application reduced the absorption of Cu by 54% and 47% in C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to C100, and C200 treatments. Moreover, GABA treatment enhanced the uptake of Ca by 26% and 82%, Mg by 12% and 67%, and K by 28% and 128% in the C100+G and C200+G groups as compared to C100, and C200 treatments. These findings underscore the pivotal role of GABA-induced enhancements in various physiological and molecular processes, such as plant growth, chlorophyll content, water content, antioxidant capacity, gene regulation, mineral uptake, and copper sequestration, in enhancing plant tolerance to copper stress. Such mechanistic insights offer promising implications for the advancement of safe and sustainable food production practices.
PubMed: 38929139
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060700 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary phosphatidylserine (PS) supplementation on the growth performance, stress response, non-specific immunity...
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary phosphatidylserine (PS) supplementation on the growth performance, stress response, non-specific immunity and antioxidant capacity of juvenile blunt snout bream () cultured under a high stocking density. A 2 × 2 two-factorial design was adopted, including two stocking densities (10 and 20 fish/m) and two dietary PS levels (0 and 50 mg/kg). After the 12-week feeding trial, the high stocking density significantly decreased the final weight; weight gain rate; specific growth rate; feed intake; nitrogen retention efficiency; plasma complement 3 (C3) level; albumin/globulin (ALB/GLB, A/G) ratio; activity of myeloperoxidase, lysozyme (LZM) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX); transcription; and abundance of sirtuin3 (Sirt3) and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, it significantly increased the plasma levels of cortisol, glucose (GLU), lactic acid (LD), total protein and GLB; hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content; and transcription. PS supplementation significantly increased the plasma ALB and C4 levels; the A/G ratio; the activity of LZM, CAT and GPX; the transcription of , , manganese-containing superoxide dismutase and catalase; and the Nrf2 abundance. However, it significantly decreased the plasma levels of cortisol, GLU and GLB, as well as the hepatic MDA content. In addition, there was a significant interaction between the stocking density and PS supplementation regarding the effects on the plasma LD, ALB, GLB and C3 levels; A/G ratio; hepatic CAT activity; and protein abundance of Sod2. In conclusion, PS supplementation can counteract the high stocking density-induced stress response, redox imbalance and immunosuppression in blunt snout bream.
PubMed: 38929083
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060644