The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing worldwide. Genetics and lifestyle, especially diet, are contributing factors. Analyses of macro- and micronutrient intake across global populations may help to explain their impact on glucose homeostasis and disease development. To this end, 420 Tunisians were enrolled in a prospective cross-sectional study of daily food consumption. Various data were collected and blood samples were drawn for biochemical assay. A 24-h recall questionnaire was obtained from participants to evaluate dietary intake. Statistical analyses were conducted using Nutrilog and R software. Biochemical analyses stratified the studied population (n = 371) into three groups: diabetics (n = 106), prediabetics (n = 192) and controls (n = 73); 49 subjects were excluded. Our results showed that Tunisians had hypercaloric diets high in carbohydrates and fat with variability in the levels of some vitamins and minerals, including riboflavin and niacin, that were statistically different among groups. The lower intake of vitamin D was associated with a greater risk of T2D. Higher vitamin A and sodium intake were associated with poor glucose homeostasis, although protein intake may improve it. In perspective, nutrigenomic studies can provide insight into problematic diets and poor eating habits and offer opportunities to analyze the effects of behavioral changes that can mitigate T2D development and progression.

Summary: Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with numerous complications such as bone mineral disorder. The aim of our study was to analyze the correlation of bone turnover markers with Bone Mineral Density (BMD) measurements in Tunisian end stage renal diseases (ESRD) patients.Methods: This study included 100 ESRD Tunisian patients. Their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was < 15 mL × min^-1× (1.73 m²)^-1, which requires hemodialysis. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) serum concentration was determined with a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) serum was assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method. The serum levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and Beta cross-laps (CTX) was measured by Electrochemiluminescence Technology. DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) technique was used to evaluate BMD.Results: We observed a statistically significant negative correlation between BALP levels and total body BMD (r = -0.268; P = 0.015) particularly in femoral neck (FN) (r = -0.219; P = 0.037). BALP concentrations were negatively associated with total BMD especially in FN for patients with BMI < 30, FGF23 concentrations were also negatively correlated with BMD in lumbar spine site (LS) (r = -0.209; P = 0.046). For osteopenic patients we found an inverse correlation between 25(OH)D concentrations and BMD in LS position (r = -0.336; P = 0.038). In men group, we have also found a negative correlation between iPTH and total BMD (r = -0.326; P = 0.015). However we found a positive correlation between calcium expression and BMD in LS site (r = 0.270; P = 0.031).Conclusions: FGF23 and BALP can predict bone loss in ESRD through their strong correlation with BMD in LS and FN sites respectively.

Thyroid disorders are common in patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both conditions present significant public health concerns due to their impact on quality of life and increased mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in and investigate their influence on rheumatoid arthritis characteristics. This was a case–control study involving adult female patients with RA and age-matched healthy controls. RA disease activity was evaluated using the Disease Activity Score (DAS28), and functional impact was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Serum thyroid function tests were performed, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and antithyroid antibodies (TAAs), including anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb), and TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb). The study included 58 female RA patients, with a mean age of 52 ± 14.2 years. The median disease duration was 10.41 years. The median DAS28-CRP was 4.03, and the median HAQ was 1.34. The median FT4 and TSH levels were 15.01 [13.48;16.71] and 1.42 [0.91;2.26], respectively. Thyroid dysfunction was identified in 19% of the participants, with hypothyroidism being the most common disorder (17%). Hyperthyroidism was observed in 2% of patients. Antithyroid antibodies were positive in 15.5% (n = 9) of participants, with TPOAb present in 6 patients (10.3%), TgAb in 3 patients (5.2%), and TRAb in 2 patients (3.4%). No statistically significant association was found between thyroid status and RA disease activity, functional impact, or serological status. Despite the lack of correlation, the high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction underscores the importance of regular thyroid screening to optimize management and prognosis in RA patients.