Search Results (576)

Non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and metabolic syndrome (MS), remain a major challenge for primary health care (PHC). This study aimed to assess cardiometabolic risk and health behaviours in adult PHC patients using routine preventive screening. This prospective observational study included 506 adults attending routine consultations in an urban PHC centre in Poland. Preventive assessment included anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, BMI, and waist circumference), blood pressure, lipid profile, and fasting glucose levels. Health behaviours were recorded using the standardised NFZ CHUK questionnaire. The 10-year CVD risk was estimated using the SCORE2 algorithm. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent factors associated with high cardiovascular risk (SCORE2 ≥ 5%) and of a composite endpoint defined as the presence of any non-optimal biochemical parameter. Nearly half of the participants had excess body weight (overweight or obesity), and more than half met criteria for central obesity. Borderline or elevated total cholesterol was found in 47% of patients, abnormal LDL in 27%, low HDL-C (<40 mg/dL) in 80% (84% when applying sex-specific cut-offs), and impaired fasting glucose or diabetes in about 12%. High SCORE2 risk (≥5%) was observed in approximately 9% of the cohort. In multivariable models, SCORE2 components (age, sex, and smoking) were, as expected, associated with high SCORE2 risk, and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²)—a factor not included in SCORE2—was additionally associated with higher risk. Additionally, age, male sex, and obesity also predicted the presence of at least one non-optimal biochemical marker. The prevalence of high SCORE2 risk increased from 1.2% in patients with 0–1 modifiable risk factor to 25.7% in those with 4–5 factors. Lower educational attainment was associated with a higher proportion of high-risk individuals in univariate analysis. Routine preventive activities in PHC enable the identification of important lipid and glucose abnormalities and the clustering of modifiable risk factors, even in a relatively young, highly educated population. Systematic cardiovascular screening and a focus on patients with accumulated risk factors should remain a priority in PHC to enable early identification of high-risk patients and timely implementation of lifestyle and therapeutic interventions. Full article

This study investigated whether Whole blood viscosity (WBV) varies with age in clinically healthy Beagle dogs and Korean Shorthair cats and examined the hematologic and biochemical variables associated with WBV. WBV was measured across multiple shear rates using a scanning capillary viscometry; complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry profiles were also evaluated. Both species demonstrated characteristic shear-thinning behavior. WBV showed a strong association with red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), and hemoglobin (Hb) in both species, with additional association with serum proteins and cholesterol in dogs. No significant relationship between WBV and age was identified at any shear rate, and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed no age-related clustering in the viscosity profiles. These findings indicated that WBV does not exhibit meaningful age-dependent trends in healthy companion animals. This suggests that, in a clinical setting, deviations in normal WBV are more likely to influence underlying physiological or pathological factors than normal aging. Full article

Viper envenomation in dogs represents a significant medical emergency in regions where vipers are endemic. Despite its clinical relevance, detailed data on the haematological and biochemical alterations in canine viper envenomation remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation and haematological, biochemical and coagulative changes occurring in dogs following bites from the Vipera aspis species, and to assess their diagnostic and prognostic significance. Twelve dogs with suspected Vipera aspis envenomation were encompassed in the study. Clinical data were gathered and blood samples were collected at hospital admission (T1), 24 h (T2) and 48 h later (T3). Complete blood counts, biochemical profiles and coagulation parameters were analysed using standard automated systems. Common clinical signs included local pain and swelling, depression, fever, haematuria and melena. Haematological evaluation revealed progressive anaemia, leucocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Biochemical findings showed elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatine kinas (CK), indicating hepatic and muscular injury; however, no consistent evidence of renal failure was found. Coagulation analysis revealed a significant shortening of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) over time, alongside marked increases in fibrinogen and antithrombin III. This indicates an inflammatory rather than consumptive coagulopathy. Viper envenomation in dogs induces complex haematological and biochemical alterations, reflecting both direct venom toxicity and systemic inflammatory responses. Early recognition, supportive care and continuous laboratory monitoring are essential for improving prognosis. Full article

Pediatric obesity is a growing public health concern, significantly increasing the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities. Background/Objectives: This study aims to explore the burden of obesity, its associated comorbidities, and resting metabolic rate (RMR) assessed by indirect calorimetry among children and adolescents in a cohort of 223 participants from Nord-East of Romania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 223 children and adolescents (aged 4–18 years) who were diagnosed with obesity at Saint Mary Emergency Children’s Hospital Iași. Anthropometric measurements, clinical assessment, and biochemical parameters were recorded. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry, using the Fitmate Pro Metabolic Technology (Cosmed, Rome, Italy), under a stable environment for 15 min, following a fasting period of minimum 6–8 h. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, applying descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations. Results: A total of 223 participants were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 12.03 ± 3.32 years (range 4–17 years) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 31.21 ± 5.84 kg/m². The average RMR was 1687.5 ± 425.5 kcal/day, with higher values in males compared with females. RMR showed significant positive correlations with age (r = 0.60), BMI (r = 0.51), waist circumference (r = 0.67), and fat mass measured with a three-site formula technique (r = 0.51) and systolic (r = 0.45) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.19), all with p < 0.001. A weak inverse correlation was observed between RMR and the fitness index (r = −0.24, p < 0.001), indicating an association between lower fitness scores and higher RMR values. RMR showed no significant correlation with fasting glucose or lipid levels, indicating that metabolic rate was more influenced by body composition than by biochemical markers. Conclusions: Pediatric obesity is strongly linked to multiple comorbidities, emphasizing the need for early detection and targeted interventions. Higher BMI and central adiposity were associated with increased RMR. Indirect calorimetry provides valuable insights into the metabolic profile of children with obesity and can inform individualized management strategies. Full article

Obesity is a systemic metabolic disorder characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance, with growing evidence indicating that the brain represents a primary and particularly vulnerable target organ. Beyond peripheral metabolic consequences, obesity induces region-specific structural, functional, and biochemical alterations within the central nervous system, contributing to cognitive impairment, dysregulated energy homeostasis, and increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. This narrative review examines key neurometabolic and neuroinflammatory mechanisms underlying obesity-related brain vulnerability, including downstream neuroinflammation, impaired insulin signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, blood–brain barrier disruption, and impaired brain clearance mechanisms. These processes preferentially affect frontal and limbic networks involved in executive control, reward processing, salience detection, and appetite regulation. Advanced neuroimaging has substantially refined our understanding of these mechanisms. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides unique in vivo insight into early neurometabolic alterations that may precede irreversible structural damage and is complemented by diffusion imaging, volumetric MRI, functional MRI, cerebral perfusion imaging, and positron emission tomography. Together, these complementary modalities reveal microstructural, network-level, structural, hemodynamic, and molecular alterations associated with obesity-related brain vulnerability and support the concept that such brain dysfunction is dynamic and potentially modifiable. Integrating neurometabolic and multimodal neuroimaging biomarkers with metabolic and clinical profiling may improve early risk stratification and guide preventive and therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving long-term brain health in obesity. Full article

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy disorder of unknown etiology. One of its cellular hallmarks is increased mitochondrial dysfunction in placental tissue. Further investigation into this aspect may help elucidate the molecular basis of preeclampsia. A total of 24 pregnant women who delivered by cesarean section participated in the study: n = 13 controls and n = 11 diagnosed with preeclampsia. Maternal blood samples were collected to assess the biochemical profile, and demographic and clinical data were recorded. Placental trophoblast samples were processed to isolate mitochondria and perform molecular biology assays. Women with preeclampsia exhibited the characteristic clinical features of the disease, along with biochemical alterations consistent with an inflammatory process. A significant decrease (73%) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in trophoblastic tissue and a reduction in citrate synthase (CS) activity (−51%) in cytotrophoblast mitochondria-enriched fractions were observed in preeclampsia, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction accompanied by a loss of functional mitochondrial mass. In addition, we detected a marked decrease in MnSOD levels (−32%), together with an increase in the LC3II/LC3I ratio (47%) in cytotrophoblast mitochondria-enriched fractions, supporting the presence of mitochondrial alterations and suggesting the possible activation of mitophagy specifically in this cell type. Moreover, coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) levels were elevated by 31% in trophoblastic villi. A pronounced 2.5-fold increase in CoQ₁₀ normalized to CS activity (CoQ₁₀/CS) was detected specifically in cytotrophoblasts from preeclamptic placentas. Importantly, we did not observe these alterations in the syncytiotrophoblast. In conclusion, preeclampsia is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and increased CoQ₁₀ levels normalized to CS activity, specifically in cytotrophoblast mitochondria, with findings being consistent with a possible involvement of mitophagy in this cell type. These findings suggest that cytotrophoblast mitochondrial metabolism may be more affected in preeclampsia compared with syncytiotrophoblasts, and that CoQ₁₀ accumulation together with the possible activation of mitophagy may represent cellular defense mechanisms. Due to the limitations of the study, it should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating, and its results should be regarded as preliminary. Full article

Background: This study investigated the relationships between hematological and bone metabolism variables in 35 elite female trail runners, focusing on identifying key hematological correlates of bone health. Methods: Forty-four hematological variables, including biochemical, hormonal, metabolic, liver enzyme, and iron profiles, as well as complete blood count and platelet indices, were analyzed. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were assessed at multiple skeletal regions via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression to analyze the associations between hematological markers and BMC and BMD. Results: Significant but moderate associations were identified: magnesium consistently emerged as a negatively associated factor, particularly associated with BMC and BMD in the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and whole-body, potentially reflecting hypothesized mineral mobilization during chronic physical stress. Follicle-stimulating hormone showed positive associations with BMD, suggesting a potential protective association in bone turnover regulation. Additionally, calcium and thyroid hormones were linked to regional bone properties, highlighting site-specific skeletal vulnerabilities. Conclusions: These findings suggest a complex interplay between mineral homeostasis and hormonal balance that may be related to skeletal integrity in elite female trail runners. This work provides a foundation for developing evidence-based guidelines to support the health and performance of female endurance athletes. Further research is warranted to confirm these results through longitudinal evaluations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthy ageing, focused on maintaining daily autonomy and cognitive function despite chronic comorbidities, poses a challenge for public health systems, especially for those aged ≥80, given the expected increase in this population. Promoting a healthy lifestyle in this group is essential to achieving this goal, with primary care services playing a key role in this effort. Therefore, our objective was to profile the participants based on these characteristics. Methods: The study included 222 non-institutionalized, dementia-free individuals (mean age 84.58 ± 3.72 years, 56.3% women) recruited from a primary healthcare service. Data were collected from medical records and interviews, including the cognitive Pfeiffer test, the functional Barthel index (BI), and ad hoc questionnaires (for lifestyle variables). Latent profiling analysis (LPA) was used to classify the participants. Results: The participants reported social support (97.7%), low-risk alcohol consumption (94.6%), adherence to the Mediterranean diet (85.1%), physical activity (74.8%), and never smoking (72.5%). Hypertension (86.5%), cataracts (74.3%), and osteoarticular diseases (68.5%) were the most frequent chronic conditions. Women showed a significantly different distribution of certain variables and a higher number of comorbidities (6.34 ± 2.38) than men (5.58 ± 2.44) (p = 0.019). After LPA, we found that 38.29% of individuals met characteristics compatible with healthy ageing, predominantly male (60%); the association of a high probability of cognitive impairment with a high degree (severe or total), exhibited by the profiles likely >85% women (18.5% of individuals); physical activity, smoking, osteoporosis, anxiety, COPD, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and creatinine blood levels exhibited statistical differences between profiles; and the probability of dependence severity was associated with an increase in age, although cognitive status conservation was associated being male. Conclusions: The studied +80 group seems to follow a healthy lifestyle, as self-reported. Women fare worse than men in resilient ageing. While common factors related to dysfunctionality did not differentiate between profiles, CKD, an increasingly common age-related condition, did. Full article

Background: Methanol poisoning remains a major cause of fatal toxic exposures worldwide, yet the diagnostic value of postmortem methanol and formic acid levels in relation to organ-specific pathology is not fully understood. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive forensic and diagnostic evaluation of fatal methanol intoxications using multiple biochemical and pathological parameters. Methods: A total of 138 autopsy-confirmed methanol poisoning cases were retrospectively analyzed. Quantitative methanol and formic acid levels were measured in blood and vitreous humor. Autopsy reports, demographic characteristics, and histopathological findings in major organs were systematically reviewed. The presence of ethanol and other substances, including stimulants and narcotic drugs, was also recorded. Results: Blood methanol concentrations averaged 142.47 ± 139.20 mg/dL (range: 0–595), and formic acid levels averaged 258.62 ± 197.89 mg/dL (range: 0–618). Vitreous humor concentrations showed comparable distributions. Common pathological findings included cerebral edema, putaminal discoloration or necrosis, myocardial ischemia, hepatic steatosis, pulmonary edema, and acute pancreatitis. Ethanol or other substances were detected in several cases, with stimulants or narcotic drugs present in 10.4% (n = 13). Importantly, the combined interpretation of postmortem biochemical markers and organ pathology allowed clearer differentiation of methanol-related injury patterns compared with prior reports. Conclusions: Methanol intoxication produces variable but characteristic biochemical and pathological profiles. Integrating toxicological markers with organ-specific pathology enhances the diagnostic accuracy of postmortem evaluations and supports more reliable identification of methanol-related deaths. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and the development of effective therapies with improved safety profiles is urgently needed. The hydrodistillation residue extract of Syzygium aromaticum (SA) is rich in phenolic compounds, including ellagic acid and gallic acid, which are known for their antioxidant and anticancer properties. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer efficacy, safety, and metabolic effects of SA extract in CRC models. Methods: The anticancer activity of SA was investigated using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Human colorectal cancer HCT116-Red-FLuc cells were used to assess cytotoxicity, selectivity, and dose- and time-dependent effects. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in a CRC xenograft mouse model using tumor volume measurement, micro-ultrasound imaging, and bioluminescence analysis. Hematological and blood biochemical parameters were analyzed to assess systemic safety. Untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed to explore metabolic alterations associated with SA treatment. Results: SA inhibited HCT116-Red-FLuc cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and demonstrated selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells, with a selectivity index of 4.41 at 24 h, although selectivity declined with prolonged exposure. In xenograft mice, SA significantly suppressed tumor growth and reduced metastatic incidence. The 500 mg/kg dose (SA500) showed the greatest antitumor efficacy while maintaining normal hematological and biochemical profiles, indicating a favorable safety margin compared with 5-fluorouracil (5FU). The 1000 mg/kg dose (SA1000) induced marked suppression of Ki-67, Bcl-2, and CD31 expression and enhanced apoptosis. Metabolomic analysis identified 44 differential metabolites related to fatty acid, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism. Conclusions: These findings suggest that SA extract exerts significant antitumor activity against CRC with improved tolerability compared with conventional chemotherapy, supporting its potential as a complementary natural therapeutic candidate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Childhood metabolic dysregulation exerts a profound influence on the development of obesity and metabolic diseases. The human gut microbiota, with highly personalized characteristics, plays an important role in host metabolism. However, the dynamics of gut microbial features during this developmental phase are still unclear. This longitudinal observational study collected 204 fecal samples and 153 blood samples from 51 children (aged 8.90 ± 0.78 years) at four timepoints over 52 weeks, aiming to identify dynamic changes in individual gut microbiota and underlying mechanistic interactions that predict measures of pediatric metabolic health. Methods: Fecal samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and short-chain fatty acid quantification. Serum samples were analyzed for biochemical tests. Dietary intake, physical activity, clinical phenotypes, early-life factors, and fecal characteristics were further assessed. Results: In the results, the fecal microbiota dynamics exhibit inter-individual variation among children, allowing classification into high- and low-stability subgroups based on intra-individual β-diversity variability. Children with low-stability microbiota had adverse blood lipid profiles (p < 0.05). Compared to the high-stability group, the low-stability microbiota demonstrated significant association with low dietary fiber and highly variable amino acid consumption (|r| > 0.3, q < 0.05). Low-stability microbiota exhibited marked fluctuations in Phocaeicola vulgatus, which was strongly linked to both blood triglycerides and lipoprotein(a) levels, as well as dietary fiber and amino acid intake. Baseline depletion of P. vulgatus and Faecalibacterium duncaniae, combined with the children’s physiological status, lifestyle behaviors, and early-life factors, predicted microbial stability classification (AUROC = 0.93). Conclusions: These findings suggested that the variation in the gut microbiota dynamics could be considered as a possible complementary biomarker to understand the individualized responses within dietary interventions aimed at improving metabolic health in childhood. Further well-designed intervention study is needed to define these observational associations. Full article

Microalgae are increasingly recognized as valuable dietary supplements due to their rich nutritional composition and the presence of bioactive metabolites with antioxidant, antitumor, and metabolism-modulating activities. This study evaluated the nutraceutical potential of a methanolic extract of Scenedesmus sp. using an integrated in vitro, in vivo, and metabolomic approach. The extract exhibited selective cytotoxicity against L5178Y-R murine lymphoma cells while showing low toxicity toward human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, indicating a favorable safety and selectivity profile. Additionally, it demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity, a significant antihemolytic effect, and no hemolytic activity even at high concentrations, supporting its hematological safety. In vivo assays showed that oral administration of doses up to 1000 mg/kg was well tolerated, with no adverse effects on body weight or hepatic biochemical markers. Treated animals displayed improved systemic antioxidant responses and enhanced glucose tolerance. Metabolomic analysis revealed a profile enriched in essential amino acids, osmolytes, organic acids, and bioactive metabolites such as β-hydroxybutyrate and betaine, compounds associated with metabolic regulation, redox balance, and epigenetic modulation. Overall, these findings highlight Scenedesmus sp. as a promising nutraceutical source with potential application as a complementary strategy for cancer prevention or treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hypertension (HTN) remains a major global concern despite the availability of many antihypertensive medications, each with its own side effects. Lifestyle interventions, such as aerobic exercise and antioxidant-rich foods, represent promising non-pharmacological strategies for hypertension management. This study investigated the combined effects of exercise and vitamin C on anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, gut histology, biochemical markers, hematological profile, inflammatory gene expression, redox status, and stress hormones in L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 30) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6/group): control, hypertensive (HTN), hypertensive + exercise (HTN + EX), hypertensive + vitamin C (HTN + VC), and hypertensive + exercise + vitamin C (HTN + EX + VC). Exercise consisted of treadmill training at a low intensity (50 ft/min) for 60 min daily, while vitamin C was administered orally (200 mg/kg/day) for four weeks. Blood pressure, anthropometric parameters, gut histology, inflammatory gene expression, hematological indices, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress markers, and hormonal assays were measured. Results: Both exercise and vitamin C individually reduced blood pressure (p < 0.05) and increased villi length (p < 0.05), upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in the gut, lowered oxidative stress (assessed through CRP, MDA, and catalase), and reduced stress hormones (cortisol and norepinephrine). The combined intervention (HTN + EX + VC) showed the most pronounced effects, resulting in a greater reduction in blood pressure and reversal of the changes induced by hypertension when compared to the HTN group. Conclusions: Exercise and vitamin C were beneficial in lowering blood pressure and improving the adverse changes associated with hypertension. Full article

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) is a tropical monocotyledonous, succulent plant of the Musaceae family commonly grown for food in the tropical regions of the African, Asian, and South American continents, where its parts are also sought for ethnomedicinal purposes in the treatment of burns, inflammation, and diabetes, among others. In the present preliminary exploratory study, the ethanol extract of the underutilized Musa paradisiaca peel (MPE) was evaluated for its in vitro inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, as well as its in vivo hypoglycemic activity and potential biochemical toxicity. MPE (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) was orally administered to normal experimental rats for 30 days, following which the lipid profile, antioxidant status, and serum/tissue indices of hepatic, renal, and cardiac functions were evaluated. MPE produced significant inhibition (p < 0.05) of α-amylase (37%) and α-glucosidase (46%) at 120 µg/mL in vitro. The effect was lower than that of acarbose (IC₅₀ = 44.4 ± 1.14 and 15.60 ± 0.01 µg/mL, respectively). A modest blood glucose-lowering effect of MPE was observed at the highest tested dose (400 mg/kg) following subacute oral administration. During this treatment period, no biochemical alterations of toxicological importance were caused by MPE, as the organ–body weight ratio and serum/tissue indicators of organ function/damage were not adversely altered. In conclusion, MPE demonstrated inhibitory activity against both α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which may contribute to its potential hypoglycemic effects. Additionally, the findings indicate that the peel extract is non-toxic in rats following sub-acute administration at doses up to 400 mg/kg body weight. Further studies involving diabetic models and chronic exposure will substantiate and extend these preliminary observations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with a multifactorial origin involving genetic, epigenetic, and environmental determinants as well as some risk factors. Genetic predisposition has been quantified through polygenic risk scores (PRS), which integrate the cumulative effect of multiple single nucleotide variants (SNVs) associated with disease risk. Despite extensive research on immune and inflammatory pathways in SLE, the interplay between genetic susceptibility and metabolic dysfunction remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore associations between SLE-related PRS and metabolic, inflammatory, and clinical parameters in adults participating in the METAINFLAMACIÓN-CM project (Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain). Methods: Ninety-three participants were included: 56 SLE patients and 37 individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) as a reference group. PRS were computed based on validated lupus-associated SNVs. Results: SLE patients showed a distinct metabolic profile compared with the MetS group, characterized by lower BMI, visceral fat, blood pressure, glucose, and liver enzyme levels. Within the SLE cohort, PRS values varied markedly and correlated with specific clinical and biochemical features. Linear regression models revealed a significant inverse association between PRS in SLE and ferritin levels, whereas other metabolic and inflammatory markers (glucose, IL-6, LDL, CRP, neutrophils) were directly influenced by clinical factors. Conclusions: Polygenic predisposition contributes to variability in SLE metabolic phenotype but does not independently drive most inflammatory parameters. SLE patients displayed metabolic and inflammatory alterations relevant to cardiovascular risk, highlighting the importance of comprehensive cardiometabolic assessment. Integrating PRS with metabolic profiling may support precision personalized management and improve cardiovascular risk evaluation in SLE. Full article