Various markers for diabetes have been identified in this new era of medicine, the most recent being adiponectin, which is primarily secreted from adipose tissue and has anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic properties. It is also known to increase insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin deficiency or decreased secretion causes a variety of complications, including insulin resistance and the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). One such complication of T2DM is endothelial dysfunction, which leads to decreased synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), another potent marker that normally disrupts key events in the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to compare and correlate serum adiponectin and nitric oxide levels with glycemic status in patients with T2DM and healthy controls. This comparative cross-sectional study included known cases of type II diabetes under group I and healthy age-matched controls under group II. Serum levels of adiponectin and nitric oxide were assessed in both the groups along with glycemic status [fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)] and these parameters were compared between both groups using a t-test. Adiponectin and NO levels were correlated using Pearson’s correlation with glycemic status in group I. The mean adiponectin levels in group I were 5.94 ± 1.490 μg/mL, which was significantly (p<0.00) less than in group II, 10.30 ±1.669 μg/mL. The mean NO levels in group I (42.98 ± 6.300 μmol/L) were also significantly (p<0.00) less than in group II (56.126 ± 7.579 μmol/L). FBS and HbA1C levels were significantly higher in group I than in group II. Adiponectin and NO levels were significantly reduced in individuals with T2DM when compared to healthy controls. Therapeutic interventions that increase adiponectin and NO levels may be useful targets for improving diabetes control and reducing complications.
30 September 2023 in Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Both immediate and long-term adverse effects arise out of this disease’s aftermath. It involves various organs, which include endocrine glands, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and other organs. The long-term outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 infection are influenced by preexisting comorbidities. Genetic, environmental, and immunological factors contribute to the development of various autoimmune diseases, which include Graves’ disease (GD). The growing mystery surrounding this virus is exacerbated by auto-inflammatory diseases, such as pediatric inflammatory multisystemic syndrome (PIMS) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which raises concerns about the nature of the virus’ connection to the autoimmune and auto-inflammatory sequelae. There is a need to understand the underlying mechanisms of developing GD in post-COVID-19 patients. There are limited data regarding the pathogenesis involved in post-COVID-19 GD. Our goal was to understand the various mechanisms involved in post-COVID-19 GD among patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for 2020, a literature search of medical databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus) from February 2021 to February 2022 was performed by five authors. The keywords used were “Post COVID-19,” “Grave’s disease,” “Cytokine storm,” “Autoimmunity,” and “Molecular mimicry.” This review revealed three underlying mechanisms that resulted in post-COVID GD, which included cytokine storm, molecular mimicry, ACE2 receptor concentration, and cell-mediated immunity. The full spectrum of the effects of COVID-19 needs to be researched.
Background: Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is responsible for major deaths due to stroke and coronary heart disease. Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for reducing blood pressure have been tried earlier. Modulating brain regions such as prefrontal cortex (PFC) to channelize activities is an effective tool to target blood pressure. Purpose: Prefrontal cortex (PFC) exerts inhibitory control over sympathoexcitatory circuits, which was explored using a novel reaction time paradigm. Methods: Thirty participants of both genders in the age group 40–70 years with established hypertension were included. A structured reaction time paradigm was designed to include psychomotor and visuomotor elements with integrated sensory attention and motor performance tasks. Blood pressure, Lead II ECG, and EEG from F3 and F4 were recorded. A paired t-test was used to examine the variations in these parameters across tasks. Results: A significant reduction in mean arterial pressure by 4.04 mmHg ( p = .0232) during the visuomotor task and a reduction of 3.38 mmHg during the auditory cue task ( p = .0446) were observed. Analysis of the difference in heart rate has shown a profound decrease after passive listening tasks by 3.7 beats ( p < .0001*). Spectral analysis from F3 and F4 shows high power in low-frequency zone of EEG indicating a relaxed state during auditory cues and passive listening. Conclusion: The reaction time paradigm, when applied to hypertensives, helped decrease blood pressure and heart rate and improved the high frequency (HF) component of heart rate variability, indicating parasympathetic dominance. Such reward-oriented paradigms may act as biofeedback modules that cause hyperactivity of the PFC to suppress the sympathoexcitatory circuit with increased parasympathetic activity beneficial to hypertensive individuals.
15 July 2024 in Indian Journal of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. The exact cause of psoriasis is unclear; nevertheless, it is thought to be complex including several key components such as genetic predisposition, triggers from the environment, skin barrier disruption, and immunological dysfunction. About 85–90% of all psoriatic patients present with plaque type of psoriasis. The systemic nature of psoriasis makes an independent risk factor for cardiac disease. The main objective is to find the association between lipid profile, arterial stiffness, and psoriasis among female patients. Materials and Methods: Female patients with psoriasis in the age group of 20–50 years were selected. The duration of the study was 1 year. For lipid profile, after 12 h of fasting, 5 mL of blood was taken and analyzed by kit method using Transasia RX 1000. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were estimated using the Friedewald formula. Arterial stiffness was measured using an oscillometric noninvasive arteriography. Right brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (RbaPWV), left brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (LbaPWV), and carotid femoral pulse wave velocity were measured in cm/s. Results: In the present study, 28% of the females were <38 years and 44% of females were in the range of 39–46 years. The mean value of cholesterol was (263.66 ± 47.74), Triglyceride (188.38 ± 27.56), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (50.06 ± 18.05) LDL (171.60 ± 33.98), and very LDL (89.74 ± 13.361) mg/dL, respectively. Significant correlation was found between LbaPWV and Psoriasis (0.03), HDL and psoriasis (0.04), and psoriasis and RbaPWV (0.01). Conclusion: We conclude that psoriasis patients have hyperlipidemia, which will increase arterial stiffness and may lead to cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Variables such as lipid profiles and arterial stiffness may be used as screening tools for the early detection of CVDs.
COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China, and subsequently spread worldwide. There were numerous restrictions on daily life activities, including lifestyles, social distancing, isolation and access to many forms of exercise and home confinement. All these activities have health benefits, as they enhance the immune system, which is the need of the hour during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is little data regarding the occurrence of COVID-19 among marathon runners, cyclists and yoga practitioners. The aim of the present study was to find the prevalence of COVID-19 among physically active and physically inactive individuals and to compare it among those groups. Physically active individuals were selected as per the Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health 2010, in the age group of 18-60 years, and included runners, yoga practitioners and cyclists from the Hyderabad club. A prevalidated questionnaire was circulated among the study groups through Google form. The data was analyzed statistically. There was a high proportion of persons affected by COVID-19 in the physically inactive group (75.75%) when compared to the active group (17.17%). The percentages of subjects who tested positive for COVID-19 were as follows: 16.16% cyclists, 29.29% runners and 27.27% yoga practitioners among the physically active individuals, and 51.51% of physically inactive subjects. Physical activity acts as a barrier against COVID-19 infections and enhances the immune system. Therefore, it has to be prioritized by public health agencies and incorporated into routine medical care.