Abstract Background Previous studies has shown that nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) is expressed in Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients which is stimulated by muramyl dipeptide (MDP) present in the joint environment and induces inflammation via the NF-κB pathway. Also, other studies have shown that curcumin inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion, and Inflammation and on the other hand increases the apoptosis of RA FLSs. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of curcumin, a natural antiinflammatory micronutrient, on the expression of NOD2 and inflammatory cytokines. Methods Synovial membranes were collected from ten patients diagnosed with RA and ten individuals with traumatic injuries scheduled for knee surgery. The FLSs were isolated and treated with 40 μM curcumin alone or in combination with 20.3 μM MDP for 24 h. mRNA was extracted, and real-time PCR was performed to quantitatively measure gene expression levels of NOD2, p65, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Results The study findings indicate that administering MDP alone can significantly increase the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in the trauma group and TNF-α in the RA group. Conversely, administering curcumin alone or in combination whit MDP can significantly reduce mRNA expression levels of P65 and IL-6 in FLSs of both groups. Moreover, in FLSs of RA patients, a single curcumin treatment leads to a significant reduction in NOD2 gene expression. Conclusion This study provides preliminary in vitro evidence of the potential benefits of curcumin as a nutritional supplement for RA patients. Despite the limitations of the study being an investigation of the FLSs of RA patients, the results demonstrate that curcumin has an anti-inflammatory effect on NOD2 and NF-κB genes. These findings suggest that curcumin could be a promising approach to relieve symptoms of RA.

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin A supplementation on serum Th17 (IL-6, IL-17, IFNγ) and Treg (TGF-β, IL-10) related cytokines in obese and non-obese women. Subjects and methods In a randomized double blind placebo controlled design, 56 obese women were randomly assigned to receive either an oral dose of 25,000 IU retinyl palmitate or placebo per day for 4 months. Twenty eight ages matched non-obese women were also received vitamin A. At the study entry, anthropometric variables were measured and serum Th17 and Treg related cytokine profile were determined at baseline and 4 months after intervention. Results Significantly higher baseline concentrations of IL-6 were observed in obese compared with non-obese women (P < 0.05). However, the initial concentrations of other cytokines were not significantly different between groups. The mean concentrations of IL-17 and TGF-β were significantly decreased after vitamin A supplementation in non-obese and obese women respectively. Positive relationships between IL-17 and IL-10 (r = 0.42, P < 0.001), TGF-β and IL-17 (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) and between IL-10 and IFN-γ (r = 0.41, P = 0.002) in total participants were also observed. Conclusions The results of the present study showed for the first time that vitamin A supplementation reduces serum concentrations of IL-17 and TGF-β in reproductive age women. Further studies are needed to explore the possible underlying mechanisms.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o papel da suplementação com ácidos graxos ômega-3 sobre a concentração de ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNE), resistência e sensibilidade à insulina e metabolismo de lipídios em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2. Sujeitos e métodos: Quarenta e quatro pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 foram recrutados aleatoriamente e alocados em um de dois grupos. O Grupo A recebeu 4 g/dia de ômega-3 na forma de cápsulas gelatinosas e o grupo B recebeu placebo durante 10 semanas. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas após 12 horas de jejum. Registros da atividade física, da dieta de três dias e medidas antropométricas foram obtidos de todos os participantes no início e no final do estudo. Resultados: A suplementação com ômega-3 causou uma redução significativa na AGNE em comparação com grupo placebo (P = 0,008). Além disso, a administração de ômega-3 resultou em alterações significativamente maiores (Dif) em vários parâmetros, tais como a insulina, HOMA-IR e QUICKI, comparando com placebo (P < 0,05). Conclusões: A suplementação com ácidos graxos ômega-3 em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 melhorou a sensibilidade à insulina, provavelmente devido à diminuição da concentração de AGNE. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(4):335-40

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the role of omega-3 supplementation on NEFA concentration, insulin sensitivity and resistance, and glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects and methods: Forty-four type 2 diabetic patients were randomly recruited into two groups. Group A received 4 g/day omega-3 soft gels, and group B received a placebo for 10 wks. Blood samples were collected after 12-h fast. Physical activity records, three-day food records, and anthropometric measurements were obtained from all participants at the beginning and end of the study. Results: Omega-3 supplementation caused a significant reduction in NEFA in the intervention group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.009). Additionally, the administration of omega-3 resulted in significantly greater changes (Diff) for the intervention group in various parameters, such as insulin and Quicki indices compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in type 2 diabetic patients improved insulin sensitivity, probably due to the decrease in NEFA concentrations. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(4):335-40

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Doação de sangue regular pode diminuir o armazenamento de ferro no organismo, conduzindo à anemia. O objetivo foi avaliar o estado de ferro de iranianos doadores de sangue do sexo masculino e o impacto da idade, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e frequência da doação ao longo de um ano sobre os índices do estado de ferro. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal, descritivo e analítico no Centro de Transfusão de Sangue de Teerã. MÉTODOS: Entre julho e setembro de 2011, foram selecionados 117 homens doadores de sangue, divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com a frequência de doação. Trinta homens não doadores foram também recrutados como controles, após ajustes para idade, peso, altura, tabagismo e renda mensal. Índices do estado de ferro, bem como alguns critérios como a saúde geral e medidas dietéticas, foram determinados entre todos os indivíduos. RESULTADOS: Os valores dos parâmetros relacionados ao ferro foram significativamente mais baixos entre os doadores em comparação aos não doadores. Somente capacidade de ligação de ferro total foi significativamente maior entre os diferentes grupos de doadores em comparação com os controles. Correlação positiva significante entre idade e ferretina sérica foi observada somente nos que tinham doado uma vez no ano anterior. Os índices do estado do ferro não mostraram relação significativa com o IMC entre doadores e não doadores. CONCLUSÃO: A frequência de doação de mais de duas vezes por ano teve influência significativa nos parâmetros relacionados ao ferro. Assim, sem medidas anuais desses parâmetros, flebotomias adicionais podem levar a deficiência de ferro e rejeição de doadores no futuro.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Regular blood donation may decrease body iron storage and lead to anemia. The aim here was to evaluate the iron status of Iranian male blood donors and the impact of age, body mass index (BMI) and donation frequency over one year, on iron status indices. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study at Tehran Blood Transfusion Center, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: Between July and September 2011, 117 male blood donors were selected and divided into four groups according to their frequency of blood donation. Thirty male non-donors were also recruited as controls after adjusting for age, weight, height, smoking habits and monthly income. Iron status indices and some criteria such as general health and dietary measurements were determined among all subjects. RESULTS: The values of the iron-related parameters were significantly lower among donors than among non-donors. Only total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was found to be significantly higher among different donor groups than in the controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between age and serum ferritin (SF) only among the donors who had donated once within the preceding year. The iron status indices did not show any significant relationship with BMI among donors or non-donors. CONCLUSION: A donation frequency of more than twice a year had a significant influence on iron-related parameters. Therefore, without annual measurement of these parameters, further phlebotomies may lead to iron deficiency and donor rejection in the future.