The Modulatory Bioeffects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Polyphenols on Metabolic Disorders: Understanding Their Preventive Role against Metabolic Syndrome

Modern research achievements support the health-promoting effects of natural products and diets rich in polyphenols. Pomegranate (PG) (Punica granatum L.) contains a considerable number of bioactive compounds that exert a broad spectrum of beneficial biological activities, including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and atheroprotective properties. In this context, the reviewed literature shows that PG intake might reduce insulin resistance, cytokine levels, redox gene expression, blood pressure elevation, vascular injuries, and lipoprotein oxidative modifications. The lipid parameter corrective capabilities of PG-ellagitannins have also been extensively reported to be significantly effective in reducing hyperlipidemia (TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TAGs), while increasing plasma HDL-C concentrations and improving the TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios. The health benefits of pomegranate consumption seem to be acheived through the amelioration of adipose tissue endocrine function, fatty acid utilization, GLUT receptor expression, paraoxonase activity enhancement, and the modulation of PPAR and NF-κB. While the results from animal experiments are promising, human findings published in this field are inconsistent and are still limited in several aspects. The present review aims to discuss and provide a critical analysis of PG's bioeffects on the components of metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia, as well as on certain cardiovascular-related diseases. Additionally, a brief overview of the pharmacokinetic properties, safety, and bioavailability of PG-ellagitannins is included.

A SCARE-compliant case report of recurrent meningioma in a 75-year-old patient after 10 years of surgical resection

Meningiomas are intracranial extracerebral tumors derived from arachnoid cells of the neural crest. They represent ∼20% of primary intracranial tumors and are seen as more common in elderly patients and women. Recurrence of meningioma can be observed during the early years after surgical treatment, but their occurrence within 10 years is rare.

Case presentation

In this report, the authors discuss a case of a 75-year-old patient with a recurrence of a frontal meningioma after 10 years of successful surgical resection. Our patient was a female who presented amnesia and memory lapses associated with several weeks of progressive heaviness of the lower limbs accompanied by speech heaviness, intense headaches, asthenia, consciousness disorder, and tonic-clonic convulsive seizures for 10 days. The patient had previously been treated for a benign meningioma by surgical excision. Imaging was performed, and recurrent frontal meningioma was retained as a final diagnosis. The patient underwent a successful total resection of her frontal tumor.

Clinical discussion

Recurrent tumors after complete surgical removal of meningiomas are rare and may be associated with microscopic residues. The more radical the surgery, the lower the risk of observing a recurrence. Adjuvant radiotherapy can be proposed, but the evidence is still lacking. Careful follow-up of all patients with or without complete surgical resection is therefore recommended.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the importance of suspecting recurrence of meningioma in adult patients after successful surgical excision, even after 10 years of free disease. Clinicians should be aware of long-term meningioma recurrence in this population, and imaging is key for a positive diagnosis.

Narrative Review: The Effect of Vitamin A Deficiency on Gut Microbiota and Their Link with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders defined by a lack of social behaviors, repetitive behaviors and nonverbal interactions, such as limited eye contact, facial expression, and body gesturing. It is not a single condition, but rather a multi-factorial disorder caused by hereditary and non-genetic risk factors, as well as their interaction. According to several studies, the gut microbiota may have a role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder. Various studies have found differences in the composition of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota in children with ASD compared to unaffected siblings and/or healthy unrelated controls. The processes that relate the gut microbiota to brain dysfunctions (the gut-brain axis) in ASD are yet to be fully understood. However, the differences in the gastrointestinal composition might be due to vitamin A deficiency because vitamin A (VA) plays a role in the regulation of the intestinal microbiota. This narrative review discusses the impact of vitamin A deficiency on the gut microbiota composition and tries to understand how this may contribute for the development and severity of ASD.

Self-Reported Dietary Habits and Intensity of Negative Emotions: From a Population of Moroccan University Students

Emotional disorders are an ever-increasing problem in our society, accounting for a significant portion of the global burden of disease. A healthy and balanced diet is now one of the promising avenues for the prevention and care of psychiatric disorders. The principal objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the relationship between eating habits, frequency of consumption of certain foods, and mental well-being in a sample of students. A food frequency questionnaire was developed to describe participants' eating habits. The DAS21 self-questionnaire was used to assess the intensity of negative emotions associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. The age of the participants, who numbered 620, varied from 18 to 25 years (mean age: 22.32 years). The consumption of the different foods studied was varied, with a low consumption of fruits and vegetables. The prevalence of emotional disorders was high among the students. Skipping breakfast had a negative impact on mental well-being. High frequency of consumption of apples, seafood, kiwi, dried fruits, sardines, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, carrots and apricots was beneficial to the mental health of students. This suggests that healthy eating behaviours based on a balanced diet may be an interesting avenue for preventing and treating psychopathological disorders.

ALEXITHYMIA, SUICIDAL IDEATION AND BEHAVIOUR IN MOROCCAN PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USERS

Alexithymia is an emotion regulation problem that may be related to suicidality, especially in patients with SUD. The study aimed at estimating the prevalence of alexithymia in Moroccan psychoactive substances users, and to establish the links between alexithymia and suicidal ideation and behaviors, anxiety and depression in drug-dependent patients. We also aimed to elucidate if alexithymia predicts suicidal thoughts and behaviors in these consumers. The study included 451 consecutively admitted patients with substance use. Consumers were examined with the Toronto alexi - thymia scale (TAS-20), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI- Y), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Among substance-dependent individuals, 72.7% was identified as a group with alexithymia. Current age and age at first substance use were lower in the alexithymic group (p<0.01). The mean STAI-Y state and C-SSRS scores were higher in the group with alexithymia (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of mean scores for anxiety traits (p<0.05) and no significant difference in terms of mean scores for depression. All of the scores correlated significantly with. Addicted patients with alexithymia could be targeted at prevent- ing the onset of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. The present study also evokes that whenever an emotional regulation disorder is observed, the possibility of anxio-depressive symptomatology and suicidality (ideation and behavior) needs to be assessed.

BRAIN TUMORS AMONG MOROCCAN ADOLESCENTS IN THE REGION OF RABAT-SALE-KENITRA, MOROCCO

Brain tumours refer to all tumors, both benign and malignant, which develop in the cerebral parenchyma. In Africa, including Morocco, there is a paucity of descriptive brain tumors data. The aim of this study to describe the epidemiological profile of brain tumors types among Moroccan adolescents. Our study is a descriptive epidemiological study targeting all ado- lescent patients, aged between 10 and 19, suffering from a brain tumor and admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2020, to the neuro- surgery department of the Hospital of Specialities-CHU-Rabat-Mo- rocco. During these period, the neurosurgery department admitted 179 patients diagnosed with a brain tumor, including 18 adolescents, which represents 10.05% of all admitted patients. The 18 teenagers found include 11 females patients and 7 males patients which means a sex-ratio Male/Female of 0,64. The average age of our patients is 13.05 years, with extremities ranging from 10 to 19 years. It was found that for the topographic distribution 50% of tumors are infratentorial and 50% are supratentorial. The most presented re- vealing symptomatology is headaches (12 patients, 66.67%). The other symptoms experienced by patients were fatigability (11 patients), diziness (10 patients), vomiting (8 patients), weightloss (8 patients), seizures (6 patients), visual disturbances (5 patients), balance disorder (4 patients), hemiparesis (3 patients), hypoacusis (2 patients) and other. We found that Astrocytomas come in first position of diagnosed tumors with a percentage of 22.22% followed by Vestibular schwannoma and Craniopharyngioma with a percentage of 16.67% each. The topographic diagnosis finds an infra-tentorial localization equal to the supratentorial localization with 50% each. A rare tumor was detected in our study, which is hemangiopericytoma in a 15-year-old male patient. The epidemiological profile of brain tumors in Morocco and more specifically in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region has similarities with other studies in Morocco and also presents differences. However, other multicenter studies are necessary in our country to establish a Moroccan national registry of brain tumors that can be used for other epidemiological studies on a continental scale.

Early Maladaptives Schemas among call center staff in the Rabat Sale Kenitra region, Morocco

Introduction

It is important to know the prevalence of the Early Maladaptives Schemas (EMS) in such population.

Objectives

The study of Early Maladaptives Schemas among call center staff in the Rabat Sale Kenitra region and possible socio-economics factors that may influence them.

Methods

The study involved 121 call center’s employees in the Rabat Sale Kenitra region. They responded to an informative questionnaire and to the SPI 26, with 26 items, including 13 early maladaptives schemas.

Results

121 subjects were interviewed, 48.78% (n=59) men and 51.24% (n=62) women, a minimum age of 22 years, a maximum age of 60 years and an average of 31.74 7.93. Through the examination of the EMS’s results in adulthood, we note a decreasing ranking of active shemas according to the rate of participants: the EMS Unrelenting standards is active in 80.02% of our sample, the EMS Mistrust in 61,2%, the EMS Insufficient self-control in 47.9%, the EMS Abandonment in 47.1%, the EMS Insufficient self-control in 41.3%, the EMS Emotional inhibition in 38.8%, the EMS Vulnerability to harm or illness in 33.1%, the EMS Dependence in 31.4%, the EMS Selfsacrifice in 27,3%, the EMS Social Isolation in 19%, the EMS Emotional deprivation in 10.7%, the EMS failure in 8.3% and the EMS Enmeshment in 7,4%.

Conclusions

By comparing the rates of EMS in childhood and adulthood, it emerges that only the EMS Abandonment, Dependence and Insufficient self-control showed a disinensification, increasing successively from adulthood to childhood as follow :from 69.4% to 47.1% , from 52,9% to 31.4% and from 59.5% to 47.9%.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

PREVALENCE OF SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND ASSOCIATED SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MOROCCO

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic Morocco had to introduce very drastic measures such as quarantine, social distancing or massive restriction of public life in order to prevent the collapse of the health system due to the rapid spread of the disease. This descriptive and analytical study was conducted during strict quarantine among Moroccan adults aged 18 to 63 years (n=990)to examine the psychological impact of Covid-19 pandemic in Moroccan population. They responded to online survey including three items; socio-demographic status, health status and a modified version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADs). We found a high prevalence of anxiety 40.5% and depression 28,9%. Young participants aged below 30 were more likely to have anxiety (59,1%) and depression symptoms (50%). The prevalence of this symptoms was higher in women (66,8%) compared to men. Individuals with higher education degree tend to be more anxious (65,1%) and depressed (63,3%) compared by those with secondary (26,7% anxious, 28% depressed) and elementary education level (8,2% anxious, 8,7% depressed). Covid-19 pandemic caused a new economical, medical and social conditions, altered the quality of life of Moroccan population and caused a higher prevalence mental health like fear, anxiety and depression.

Antioxidant Effect of Moroccan Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. Sefri Variety) Extracts Rich in Punicalagin against the Oxidative Stress Process

Natural antioxidants products are widely distributed in food and medicinal plants. These natural antioxidants, especially polyphenols, exhibit a wide range of biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerosis activities. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a rich source of polyphenolic components. The purpose of this study was to characterize the phenolic composition and flavonoids and anthocyanin content of different parts (peel and aril) of the Sefri variety of pomegranate. Our results showed that Peel extract was richer in these compounds than that of the Arils, especially in Punicalagin (A and B). DPPH free radical scavenging, reducing power (FRAP), β-carotene bleaching, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays revealed a greater dose-dependent activity of pomegranate peel phenolic extract (PPPE) compared to pomegranate aril phenolic extract (PAPE). PPPE was also more potent than PAPE concerning its ability to inhibit conjugated diene formation and to reduce α-tocopherol disappearance induced by CuSO4-mediated LDL peroxidation. Interestingly, both extracts (PPPE and PAPE) significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stressed J82 human bladder cancer cells. These results reflect the protective effects that this Moroccan variety of pomegranate can provide against the development of metabolic disorder, cancer, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Given these properties, further studies should be undertaken to investigate possible applications of Sefri pomegranate extracts in the fields of food preservation and health supplements.

Personality traits among the staff of moroccan call centers

Introduction

The aim of this research is to study the five major personality traits in a sample of call center employees in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region, Morocco.

Objectives

Demonstrate the domination of certain personality dimensions over others in this population.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study that involved 121 individuals, including 59 men and 62 women with an average age of 31.74 ± 7.93. The personality traits were assessed using the Big Five test.

Results

The results show that, (63.64%) of our sample has a more dominant extraversion pole, while (36.36%) of the participants have a more dominant introversion pole. (66.12%) of our study subjects have a dominance of agreeableness dimension, while for (33.88%) of the sample the disagreeableness dimension dominates. Almost parity is observed between those in our sample who have a dominance of the conscientiousness pole (50.41%), and those who have a dominance of the impulsivity pole (49.59%). 74.38% of the participants have a dominance of the neuroticism pole, while (25.62%) have a dominance of the emotional stability pole. (57.02%) has a dominance of the openness pole, while (42.98%) have a dominance of the closedness pole.

Conclusions

This study sample is characterized to a large extent by extraversion and agreeableness; moreover this study has shed light on the dominance of the neuroticism trait in this kind of population. However, considering this study concerned only one region, it would be interesting to widen the geography of the survey to acquire more exhaustive results.

Profile and use of licit psychotropic substances in the former Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaër Region (Morocco): the case of tiflet city

Introduction

Psychopharmacology today faces serious challenges, especially related inappropriate drug choices, abuse and resulting side effects. The aim of this pharmacy based study in the City of Tiflet was to profile the prescription and usage patterns of psychotropic drugs.

Methods

This study was conducted in the pharmacies of the City of Tiflet (Morocco). Descriptive statistics of 5125 prescriptions collected from 21 pharmacies were analysed, and summarized as means, percentages and proportions where appropriate.

Results

The patterns of psychotropic drugs use were similar, compared to Western Countries, especially for anxiolytics/hypnotics, neuroleptics and anti-depressants. A poor monitoring of the treatment, and the lack of control of its side effects were major concerns. General practitioners ranked first among doctors who prescribed psychotropic drugs (48.5%), followed by psychiatrists (41.7%), and the rest of the prescriptions come from other specialists (neurologists, cardiologists, gynaecologists…). Among psychotropic drugs, anxiolytics dominated prescriptions (52.0%), followed by neuroleptics (29.0%) and anti-depressants (19.0%). Men consumed more psychotropic drugs than women (51.8% against 48.2% respectively).

Conclusion

Anxiolytics/hypnotics constitute the main class of psychotropic drugs prescribed in the Tiflet City, followed by neuroleptics and anti-depressants. Nearly half of the population currently receive prescribed psychotropic drugs from general practitioners. Psychiatrists are less involved in the prescription and monitoring of these patients. This could predispose the population to addiction, drug misuse, intoxication, and at times, misdiagnosis of serious psychiatric illnesses. Our study highlights the urgency of reinforcing psychotropic prescription regulation and monitoring in Tiflet city.

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on retinol and retinyl esters contents in rat brain

In the present study, the pattern of vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters) contents in discrete brain areas was investigated in Wistar rats (both sexes of 10-12 weeks old) fed on vitamin A deficient diet. The animals were placed on standard laboratory diet for the control animals and a vitamin A deficient diet for the experimental animals for 20 weeks. At the end of this period, brain retinol and retinyl esters contents from control and vitamin A deficient diet animals were measured by HPLC. Retinol was the predominant form of retinoids in male rat brains (77 to 92% of total retinol) and retinyl esters were the predominant form in female brain rats (4 to 44% of total retinol). The abundant ester in both sexes was the retinyl linoleate. Olfactory bulb and the midbrain contained the highest quantities of retinol and retinyl esters in both sexes. On the other hand, the vitamin A deficient diet significantly decreased the retinoid contents in male brain, in olfactory bulb (-30.7%), hindbrain (-46.2%) and increased it in forebrain (84.3%) and midbrain (2.2%). Total retinol was decreased in olfactory bulb (-38.7%), forebrain (-44.5%) and midbrain (-30.7%) and increased in hindbrain (23.4%) of vitamin A deficient female rats. In conclusion, retinol and retinyl esters were the brain compounds heterogeneously distributed throughout the brain areas in both the sexes and were significantly affected by vitamin A deficiency status as well.

Preventive effects of flaxseed and sesame oil on bone loss in ovariectomized rats

A study was designed to examine the effects of dietary flaxseed oil (FO) and sesame oil (SO) which are rich successively in n-3 and (n-9 and n-6) on biochemical parameters and histological status of bone. Sixty-four 90-day-old female wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups: sham-operated rat (sham)+ control diets, ovariectomized rat (OVX) + control diets, OVX + 7% FO, OVX + 7% SO, OVX + 10% FO, OVX + 10% SO. After 4 weeks of treatments, rats were euthanized; blood and tissues were collected for analyses. Markers of bone formation which is alkaline phosphatase activity and markers of bone resorption which is tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity were measured. Present results showed that OVX increased significantly ALP and TRAP activity and the examination of bone tissue showed disruptive and lytic bone trabeculae. Animals fed 10% FO and 10% SO of fat reduced these parameters and improved bone microarchitecture. Whereas, there was no improvement in biochemical and histological states in OVX rats that received 7% of PUFAs successively provided from FO and SO diets. In conclusion, our results are encouraging because they suggest that PUFAs intake may help to prevent osteoporosis associated with estrogens deficiency. However, further studies are needed to determine the mechanism by which a diet rich in n-3 or lignans modulate bone tissue.