The Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Clinical Symptoms and Gene Expression Related to Inflammation and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Infertile Women Candidate for In Vitro Fertilization

Biological Trace Element Research - This study was performed to determine the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical symptoms and gene expression related to inflammatory markers in...     

The effects of microRNAs in activating neovascularization pathways in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus that causes diabetic macular edema and visual loss. DR is categorized, based on the presence of vascular lesions and neovascularization, into non-proliferative and proliferative DR. Vascular changes in DR correlate with the cellular damage and pathological changes in the capillaries of blood-retinal barrier. Several cytokines have been involved in inducing neovascularization. These cytokines activate different signaling pathways which are mainly responsible for the complications of DR. Recently; microRNAs (miRNAs) have been introduced as the key factors in the regulation of the cytokine expression which plays a critical role in neovascularization of retinal cells. Some studies have demonstrated that changing levels of miRNAs have essential role in the pathophysiology of vascular changes in patients with DR. The aim of this study is to identify the effects of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of DR via activating neovascularization pathways.     

Role of histone modification and DNA methylation in signaling pathways involved in diabetic retinopathy

Retinopathy, characterized by an alteration of the retinal microvasculature, is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. These changes can cause increased permeability and alter endothelial cell proliferation, edema, and abnormal neovascularization and eventually result in blindness. The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is complicated, involving many factors/mediators such as genetic susceptibility, microRNAs, and cytokines. One of the factors involved in DR pathogenesis is epigenetic changes that can have a key role in the regulation of gene expression; these include microRNAs, histone modifications, and methylation of DNA. The main epigenetic modifications are DNA methylation and posttranslational modifications of the histones. Generally, the studies on epigenetics can provide new opportunities to investigate the molecular basis of diseases with complicated pathogenesis, including DR, and provide essential insights into the potential design of strategies for its treatment. The aim of this study is an investigation of DR pathogenesis and epigenetic modifications that involve in DR development.     

The Effects of Magnesium and Zinc Co-Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress,and Gene Expression Related to Inflammation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Magnesium and zinc are known to exert multiple beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. To our knowledge, data on the effects of magnesium and zinc co-supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress and gene expression related to inflammation in subjects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are scarce. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of magnesium and zinc co-supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress and gene expression related to inflammation in subjects with PCOS. This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 subjects with PCOS diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria, aged 18–40 years old. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to take either 250 mg of magnesium oxide plus 220 mg of zinc sulfate (containing 50 mg zinc) supplements (n?=?30) or placebo (n?=?30) twice a day for 12 weeks. Biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed at baseline and at end of treatment. Gene expression related to inflammatory cytokines was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of PCOS women with RT-PCR method. After the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, magnesium and zinc co-supplementation significantly decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (??1.6?±?2.4 vs. +?0.1?±?0.7 mg/L, P?=?0.001) and protein carbonyl (PCO) (??0.14?±?0.28 vs. +?0.02?±?0.07 mmol/mg protein, P?=?0.002) and significantly increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (+?60.7?±?69.4 vs. ??1.5?±?141.5 mmol/L, P?=?0.03). Results of RT-PCR demonstrated that compared with the placebo, magnesium and zinc co-supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P?=?0.007) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P?=?0.03) in PBMCs of subjects with PCOS. Overall, magnesium and zinc co-supplementation, compared with the placebo, for 12 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on serum hs-CRP, plasma PCO, TAC, and gene expression of IL-1 and TNF-α. Clinical trial registration number: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT201706075623N121.     

Association between miRNAs expression and signaling pathways of oxidative stress in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of vision reduction in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia is a known instigator for the development of DR, even though the role of oxidative stress pathways in the pathogenesis of DR is established. The studies indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) are significant to the etiology of DR; changes in miRNAs expression levels may be associated with onset and progression of DR. In addition, miRNAs have emerged as a useful disease marker due to their availability and stability in detecting the severity of DR. The relationship between miRNAs expression levels and oxidative stress pathways has been investigated in several studies. The aim of this study is the examination of function and expression levels of target miRNAs in oxidative stress pathway and pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.     

The Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Gene Expression Related to Insulin and Lipid in Infertile Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Women Candidate for In Vitro Fertilization: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on gene expression related to insulin and lipid in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 40 infertile women with PCOS candidate for IVF. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to intake either 200-μg selenium (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) per day for 8 weeks. Gene expression levels related to insulin and lipid were quantified in lymphocytes of women with PCOS candidate for IVF with RT-PCR method. Results of RT-PCR demonstrated that after the 8-week intervention, compared with the placebo, selenium supplementation upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (1.06 ± 0.15-fold increase vs. 0.94 ± 0.18-fold reduction, P = 0.02) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) (1.07 ± 0.20-fold increase vs. 0.87 ± 0.18-fold reduction, P = 0.003) in lymphocytes of women with PCOS candidate for IVF. In addition, compared with the placebo, selenium supplementation downregulated gene expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) (0.88 ± 0.17-fold reduction vs. 1.05 ± 0.22-fold increase, P = 0.01) in lymphocytes of women with PCOS candidate for IVF. We did not observe any significant effect of selenium supplementation on gene expression levels of lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)] in lymphocytes of women with PCOS candidate for IVF. Overall, selenium supplementation for 8 weeks in lymphocytes of women with infertile PCOS candidate for IVF significantly increased gene expression levels of PPAR-γ and GLUT-1 and significantly decreased gene expression levels of LDLR, but did not affect LP(a).Clinical trial registration number: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT201704245623N113.     

Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Gene Expression Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Gestational Diabetes

Selenium is known to exert multiple beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory actions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out among 40 subjects diagnosed with GDM aged 18–40 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either 200 μg/day selenium supplements (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 6 weeks. Gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and VEGF were assessed in lymphocytes of GDM women with RT-PCR method. Results of RT-PCR indicated that after the 6-week intervention, compared with the placebo, selenium supplementation downregulated gene expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.02) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) (P = 0.01), and upregulated gene expression of VEGF (P = 0.03) in lymphocytes of patients with GDM. There was no statistically significant change following supplementation with selenium on gene expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 in lymphocytes of subjects with GDM. Selenium supplementation for 6 weeks in women with GDM significantly decreased gene expression of TNF-α and TGF-β, and significantly increased gene expression of VEGF, but did not affect gene expression of IL-1β and IL-8. Clinical trial registration number http://www.irct.ir: IRCT201612045623N95.     

Effects of Chromium and Carnitine Co-supplementation on Body Weight and Metabolic Profiles in Overweight and Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

The primary aim of our study was to determine the influence of taking chromium plus carnitine on insulin resistance, with a secondary objective of evaluating the influences on lipid profiles and weight loss in overweight subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 54 overweight women were randomly assigned to receive either supplements (200 μg/day chromium picolinate plus 1000 mg/day carnitine) or placebo (27/each group). Chromium and carnitine co-supplementation decreased weight (− 3.6 ± 1.8 vs. − 1.0 ± 0.7 kg, P < 0.001), BMI (− 1.3 ± 0.7 vs. − 0.3 ± 0.3 kg/m², P < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (− 5.1 ± 6.0 vs. − 1.1 ± 4.9 mg/dL, P = 0.01), insulin (− 2.0 ± 1.4 vs. − 0.2 ± 1.2 μIU/mL, P < 0.001), insulin resistance (− 0.5 ± 0.4 vs. − 0.04 ± 0.3, P < 0.001), triglycerides (− 18.0 ± 25.2 vs. + 5.5 ± 14.4 mg/dL, P < 0.001), total (− 17.0 ± 20.3 vs. + 3.6 ± 12.0 mg/dL, P < 0.001), and LDL cholesterol (− 13.3 ± 19.2 vs. + 1.4 ± 13.3 mg/dL, P = 0.002), and elevated insulin sensitivity (+ 0.007 ± 0.005 vs. + 0.002 ± 0.005, P < 0.001). In addition, co-supplementation upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (P = 0.02) and low-density lipoprotein receptor expression (P = 0.02). Overall, chromium and carnitine co-supplementation for 12 weeks to overweight women with PCOS had beneficial effects on body weight, glycemic control, lipid profiles except HDL cholesterol levels, and gene expression of PPAR-γ and LDLR. Clinical trial registration number: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N38.