The Effect of Tempe Gembus on High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Adiponectine Levels in Rats with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome can affect the inflammatory state which results in increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) and decreased adiponectin levels. Tempe gembus is a functional food that can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome through the inflammatory pathway. This study applied a quasi experimental method, with a post-test only control group design. Sprague Dawley rats (n=30) were divided into 2 control groups (K- and K+) and 3 treatment groups (P1, P2, P3) which were given a 4-wk diet that included 2.5 g (P1), 5 g (P2), and 7.5 g (P3) of tempe gembus. Adiponectin and hs CRP levels were measured with ELISA. Statistical analysis was done with a one-way ANOVA test and a Kruskal Wallis test. It apprears that administering tempe gembus in these amounts can reduce the hs CRP levels (p=0.037) and increase adiponectin levels in rats with metabolic syndrome (p=0.008). This research has shown that a 2.5 g of tempe gembus can have a strong effect on hs CRP and 5 g of tempe gembus have a strong effect on adiponectin.

Association of trans fatty acids with lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors in an Indian industrial population

Objective

Trans-fat, an invariable component of industrial fat is considered as one of the major dietary factors associated with CVD. Although the use of trans-fat is completely banned in some of the high-income countries where the CVD epidemic is declining, it is widely used in LMIC. We aimed to investigate the association of trans fatty acid in serum with risk markers of CVD in an industrial population in India. Participants were randomly selected from a study conducted in an industrial setting among employees and their family members. Information related to their demographic profile, anthropometric measurements, oil intake were recorded. Fasting samples were collected and stored at − 80 °C for analysis. Their lipid profile and hs CRP were measured and fatty acids analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detector (FID).

Results

Complete data was available for 176 participants. Among trans fatty acids, mono trans fatty acid was significant predictor of serum triglycerides [Unadjusted β (95% CI) 22.9 (2.6, 43.2); Adjusted β (95% CI) 20.4 (3.5, 37.3)]. None of the other trans fatty acids either individually or in group correlated with any of the biochemical markers studied.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4352-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

High Sensitivity C Reactive Protein: An Adjunct Diagnosis in Ruling Out Pediatric Tuberculosis

The utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of disease severity, therapeutic response and prognosis in tuberculosis has been suggested. This study aims to determine the levels of high sensitivity CRP (hs CRP) among the pediatric tuberculosis cases. A case control study was conducted on 60 clinically diagnosed (clinical findings and radiography and/or contact history and/or Mantoux test) or microbiologically confirmed (smear and/or culture and/or Cartridge based Nucleic Acid Amplification test positive) pediatric tuberculosis cases ≤ 12 years. hs CRP levels were estimated in the cases and healthy controls using ELISA. Median levels of serum hs CRP were significantly higher in pediatric tuberculosis cases (25 mg/l) as compared to controls (0.530 mg/l). No significant correlation was found with age, gender, site of tuberculosis or presence of dissemination. Lower levels were found with palpable lymphadenopathy. Levels were not significantly different between microbiologically confirmed cases and those who were negative by one or more of the microbiological tests of staining, culture and cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test. hs CRP can be used in diagnostic algorithms of pediatric tuberculosis to rule out tuberculosis. Further studies could help in determining the prognostic and therapeutic response of hs CRP among children leading to better management.

Arterial stiffness is increased in young women with endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological disorder that is accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. Atherosclerosis has a long subclinical progression in arteries of children and young adults decades before overt clinical manifestations of the disease. In this study, we determined arterial stiffness by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in women with endometriosis to assess the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. We also measured markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with endometriosis. baPWV in women with endometriosis aged over 30 years was significantly higher than that in women without endometriosis aged over 30 years (p < 0.05), but not in women aged less than 30. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level in women with endometriosis was significantly higher than that in controls (p < 0.05). Young women with endometriosis show significantly increased arterial stiffness, suggesting that women with endometriosis need to be cautious of the future onset of atherosclerosis.

Serum Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio and Risk Markers for Cardiovascular Disease in an Industrial Population of Delhi

High omega-6/omega-3 ratio intake promotes development of many chronic diseases. Secondary prevention studies though have demonstrated a decline in progression of many such diseases after reducing the intake, specific biochemical indices of cardiovascular disease risk markers have not been evaluated. We have evaluated the circulating levels of omega-6/omega-3 ratio and its effect on cardiovascular risk markers in India. Present study was conducted in industrial setting where employees were randomly selected. Data on their demographic characteristics were collected using pre-tested questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected from all the participants. Serum was separated and stored at −80°C till the time of analysis. Lipids were estimated using standard kits. Fatty acids in serum were estimated by Gas chromatography. The identified Omega-3 fatty acid included were 18:3 (Alpha-linolenic acid), 20:5 (Eicosapentenoic acid) & 22:6 (Docosahexenoic acid). Among omega-6 included were 18:2 (linoleic acid), 18:3 (gamma-linolenic acid) & 20:4 (Arachidonic acid). Complete data was available for 176 participants (89% males and 11% females) with mean age of 47.23 ± 6.00 years. The bmi of the participants was 24.88 ± 3.43 Kg/m² and waist circumference was 91.50 ± 9.56 cm. The median of omega-6/omega-3 ratio in the study population was 36.69 (range: 6.21 - 183.69). The levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, ldl-cholesterol and cholesterol/hdl ratio and apo B correlated significantly with omega-6/3 ratio. There was no correlation observed with hsCRP and LDL-particle size. A direct relationship of omega-6/omega-3 ratio with dyslipidemia was observed in our study.