Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 14% of pregnancies globally and has been hypothesized to be influenced by periconceptional and early pregnancy folic acid (FA) supplementation, a practice recommended to prevent neural tube defects. To evaluate this association, we conducted a systematic review of studies published between 2015 and 2024 examining FA use and GDM risk. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, including ten cohort studies and two case-control studies. While findings were mixed, several prospective studies suggested that high daily FA intake (≥800 μg) or prolonged use (>3–6 months) may be associated with increased odds of GDM, especially when initiated preconceptionally. Conversely, standard-dose supplementation (≈400 μg) appeared neutral or potentially protective in some populations. Notably, high folate status combined with low vitamin B12 was linked to increased GDM risk, suggesting metabolic interaction. Overall, most studies were of moderate to high methodological quality. Although current evidence is inconclusive, these results support cautious use of high-dose FA supplementation and the importance of individualized prenatal nutrition, particularly considering B12 status. Further research is needed to clarify biological mechanisms.

Background: Cytogenotoxic damage caused by the consumption of legal and illegal drugs in drug abusers has been demonstrated, primarily due to alterations in their antioxidant capacity, cellular repair mechanisms, and increased production of free radicals. Folic acid shows antioxidant activity by acting as a reducing agent, neutralizing present free radicals, and reducing genomic damage. Methods: The intervention involved administering 15 mg of folic acid, divided into three doses per day, to a group of 44 drug abusers. The frequency of nuclear abnormalities (NAs) was determined; micronuclei (MNs), nuclear buds (NBUDs), binucleated cells (BNs), abnormally condensed chromatin (CC), karyorrhexis (KX), pyknotic nuclei (PNs), and karyolysis (KL) were determined at different pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment time points at 15 and 30 days. Additionally, a group of 44 healthy individuals was used as the control group. Results: We observed a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of NAs in the drug abuser group (28.45 ± 17.74 before supplementation vs. 11.18 ± 7.42 at 15 days and 9.11 ± 10.9 at 30 days of supplementation). Specifically, it decreased the frequency of NBUDs, BNs, CC, KX, and PNs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a clear improvement in cytogenotoxic damage in drug abusers supplemented with folic acid.

Introducción: La Diabetes Mellitus Gestacional (DMG) es una condición metabólica compleja que afecta la salud materna y fetal, la cuál a incrementado su diagnóstico en los últimos años. Se ha asociado con anomalías cardiacas fetales (ACF), por lo que es fundamenteal conocer las bases moleculares de su desarrollo. Objetivo: Analizar literatura científica actual, para identificar mecanismos y vías moleculares clave implicados en la afección miocárdica fetal. Metodología: Consulta de bases de datos Pubmed, Scopus y Web of Science. Las publicaciones consideradas fueron del periodo 2019-2024 y excluyendo artículos que analizaran alteraciones cardíacas fetales no relacionadas con DMG. Resultados: Se reconocieron genes, mecanismos y vías moleculares, así como mecanismos clave en la morfogénesis cardíaca, particularmente vías relacionadas con la hiperglucemia e hiperinsulinemia, desregulación de factores de crecimiento, de genes encargados del desarrollo miocárdico, que conducen a ACF.Conclusión: La hiperglucemia e hiperinsulinemia materna y fetal, conducen a modificación de la expresión de genes y crecimiento celular miocárdico en la ACF asociada con DMG. Introduction: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a complex metabolic condition that affects maternal and fetal health, particularly associated with functional anomalies in the fetal myocardium. This has increased interest in understanding the molecular bases of the condition. Objective: To analyze the current scientific literature to identify key molecular mechanisms involved in fetal myocardial affection. Methodology: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were consulted, considering publications from the period 2019-2024. Articles addressing fetal cardiac complications unrelated to GDM were excluded. Results: Key molecular mechanisms in cardiac morphogenesis were identified, particularly pathways related to maternal and fetal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, such as mTOR, AKT, ERK, overexpression of TNNI3K and PK2M, deregulation of factors like IGF-1, TGFβ1, and Wnt/β-catenin, as well as increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to cardiac hypertrophy. Conclusion: The results indicate that maternal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia induce modifications in gene expression and abnormal fetal myocardial cell growth in relation to GDM, with preventive and therapeutic implications.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with complex neurobiological alterations in which oxidative stress may play a central role; however, direct evidence linking redox biomarkers to alterations in brain chemistry remains limited. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the relationships between oxidative stress and neuroimaging alterations in individuals with MDD. A search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2016–2026) following the PRISMA guidelines, including human studies assessing oxidative biomarkers (central or peripheral) alongside neuroimaging or neurofunctional measures. Four studies met the inclusion criteria (case–control, cross-sectional, and interventional designs). These studies collectively indicate that antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, and malondialdehyde are associated with altered brain activity and connectivity, prefrontal neurochemical changes, and cognitive performance. Overall, the findings support the existence of associations between redox disruption and central nervous system (CNS) alterations in MDD. However, methodological heterogeneity and the limited number of studies highlight the need for further longitudinal and multimodal research to clarify the directionality and clinical relevance of these findings.