Safa Yousef Almaghrabi

Growing evidence indicates a potential link between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and selenium (Se) levels. This study aims to assess Se concentrations in Saudi women with and without PCOS and to explore the relationships between Se levels, insulin resistance (IR), adiponectin, and lipid markers. We randomly recruited 197 women aged 18 to 40, both with and without PCOS, for this age-matched case–control study. The PCOS participants were categorized into three groups based on their Se levels. All participants underwent interviews, and their anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected for further analysis of biochemical variables. There was a notable difference between the two groups studied across all biochemical variables. Specifically, fasting blood glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly higher in the PCOS group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conversely, Se, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and adiponectin levels were significantly lower in women with PCOS than in their age-matched controls (p < 0.01). HOMA-IR was identified as the sole independent predictor of serum Se levels, explaining 17.2% of the variability in its circulating levels (β = − 0.57; 95% CI: − 0.96 to − 0.18, p = 0.004). The findings reveal that women with PCOS have lower serum Se levels compared to the controls. Furthermore, the results confirm a correlation between Se levels and insulin resistance.

Vitis viniferaedible leaf extract loaded on a Carbopol gel was prepared to maximize the wound healing and anti-MRSA properties. The extract's mode of action has been comprehensively investigated byin vitro,in vivo, andin silicoexperiments.

OBJECTIVE: Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is a devastating metabolic disorder that has a negative effect on the kidneys' functional and structural modalities via oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of this paper is to elaborate on the role of the flavonoid apigenin (Apg), considering its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic capabilities, in alleviating hypercholesterolemic-induced kidney injury.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult Wister male rats were allocated into four equal groups and treated for eight consecutive weeks: a control group, supplemented with a normal pellet diet (NPD); the Apg group, supplemented with NPD and Apg (50 mg/Kg); the HC group, fed with NPD enriched with 4% cholesterol and 2% sodium cholate; and the HC/Apg group, concomitantly rendered hypercholesterolemic and gavaged with Apg. At the end of the experiment, serum samples were collected to measure renal function parameters, lipid profile, MDA, and GPX-1. Thereafter, the kidneys were processed for histological study and homogenized to assess IL-1 beta, IL-10, and the gene expression of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), fibronectin 1 (Fn1), and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) via RT-qPCR.RESULTS: HC disturbed the renal function, lipid profile, and serum redox balance. In addition, HC elicited a proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory imbalance, upregulating KIM-1 and Fn1 and downregulating the Nrf2 gene expression of the kidney tissue. Moreover, HC induced marked histopathological changes in the kidney cytoarchitecture. Efficaciously, upon concomitant Apg supplementation with a high-cholesterol diet, most functional, histological, and biomolecular impairments of the kidney were comparatively restored in the HC/Apg group.CONCLUSIONS: Apg mitigated HC-induced kidney injury via modulating the KIM-1, Fn1, and Nrf2 signaling pathways, a promising effect that may be useful as an adjunct to antihypercholesterolemic medications to treat the devastating renal complications of HC.

The existence of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in the rectovaginal area during pregnancy and labor is linked to disease and even death in neonates. However, the extent of GBS colonization in pregnant women in Saudi Arabia has not been fully established. The goal of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization in pregnant women in Saudi Arabia, where GBS screening is not routinely conducted. This retrospective study involved 1201 Saudi women at ≥28 weeks

Microparticles (MPs) are vesicles of less than 1 mu m in diameter (submicron vesicles) shed from plasma membranes to cell activation, injury, and apoptosis response. They consisted of membrane proteins and cytosolic material from the cell they originated. These vesicles are vital mediators of pathological and physiological cellular processes. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a regular endocrine, menstrual and metabolic condition that affects 10-15% of females in their reproductive period. Numerous researches have described the association between low-grade chronic inflammation and PCOS; however, the relation is not well understood. Chronic lowgrade inflammation is reflected as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and endothelial dysfunction, and it is linked to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance (IR). MPs may be useful biomarkers for the early detection of cardiovascular disease and thrombosis in PCOS patients. In March 2020, the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) became pandemic, wreaking havoc on healthcare systems worldwide and the global economy. Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease have all been linked to COVID-19 increased risk of infection. PCOS patients have recently been identified as an underserved and potentially high-risk demographic for COVID-19 problems. This article tried to review and present recent studies that explored the role of microparticles in polycystic ovarian syndrome.