Hormonal imbalance and disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism associated with chronic feeding of high sucrose low magnesium diet in weanling male wistar rats

Western diet induces endogen oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage and infl ammation in Wistar rats

ABSTRACT Objective Nutritional diseases such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disorder, chronic inflammation or even cancer are observed in people who sustain their lifestyle by Western diet due to high calorie intake. The origin of these diseases are the degraded deoxyribonucleic acid structure. In this study, we investigated whether Western diet produced endogenous oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage, apoptosis or inflammation. Methods Twenty-eight male Wistar rats, aged 10-12 weeks, were divided into four groups. The rats in control group received the standard diet and the remaining rats were given one of the following three diets for four weeks: a high-fat diet containing 35% fat, a high-sucrose diet containing 69% sucrose and Western diet comprising both two types of diets. After treatment the serum 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, poly (adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase-1, chitinase-3-like protein 1, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, Fas ligand and cytochrome c levels were measured. Results It was observed no changes in the serum soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, Fas ligand and cytochrome c levels whereas a statistically significant increase in the serum 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, poly (adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase-1 and chitinase-3-like protein 1 levels were found only in rats that were given Western diet. Conclusion The findings show that Western diet produced endogenous oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage, which then increased serum poly (adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase-1 levels, eventually leading to inflammation.

Investigation of the roles of trace elements during hepatitis C virus infection using protein-protein interactions and a shortest path algorithm

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis is a type of infectious disease that induces inflammation of the liver without pinpointing a particular pathogen or pathogenesis. Type C hepatitis, as a type of hepatitis, has been reported to induce cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma within a very short amount of time. It is a great threat to human health. Some studies have revealed that trace elements are associated with infection with and immune rejection against hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is still unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we aimed to expand our knowledge of this phenomenon by designing a computational method to identify genes that may be related to both HCV and trace element metabolic processes. The searching procedure included three stages. First, a shortest path algorithm was applied to a large network, constructed by protein-protein interactions, to identify potential genes of interest. Second, a permutation test was executed to exclude false discoveries. Finally, some rules based on the betweenness and associations between candidate genes and HCV and trace elements were built to select core genes among the remaining genes.

RESULTS

12 lists of genes, corresponding to 12 types of trace elements, were obtained. These genes are deemed to be associated with HCV infection and trace elements metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

The analyses indicate that some genes may be related to both HCV and trace element metabolic processes, further confirming the associations between HCV and trace elements. The method was further tested on another set of HCV genes, the results indicate that this method is quite robustness.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The newly found genes may partially reveal unknown mechanisms between HCV infection and trace element metabolism. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "System Genetics" Guest Editor: Dr. Yudong Cai and Dr. Tao Huang.

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes in the Treatment of a 23-Year-Old Female Patient With Migraine

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this case report is to describe the chiropractic management of a patient with atypical migraine headache.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 23-year-old woman experienced migraines for 3 months. She had no previous history of migraines and was unresponsive to pharmaceutical and musculoskeletal therapies. The migraine headaches could not be classified according to the common categories associated with migraines. She had a change in diet due to severe gastroesophageal reflux causing her to reduce or avoid consuming foods. She also had a history of smoking and alcohol consumption.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME

Dietary and lifestyle changes were recommended in conjunction with the administration of a multivitamin, magnesium oxide, and Ulmus rubra. Her migraine headaches improved with the resolution of her gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This patient with atypical migraines and a history of poor dietary and lifestyle choices improved using nutritional changes and supplementing with a multivitamin and magnesium oxide.