Selenium overexposure induces insulin resistance: In silico study

Metalloestrogens exposure and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: Evidence emerging from the systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Metalloestrogens are metals and metalloid elements with estrogenic activity found everywhere. Their impact on human health is becoming more apparent as human activities increase.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies exploring the correlation between metalloestrogens (specifically As, Sb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Se, Hg) and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched to examine the link between metalloestrogens (As, Sb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Se, and Hg) and GDM until December 2023. Risk estimates were derived using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on study countries, exposure sample, exposure assessment method, and detection methods. Sensitivity analyses and adjustments for publication bias were carried out to assess the strength of the findings.

RESULTS

Out of the 389 articles identified initially, 350 met our criteria and 33 were included in the meta-analysis, involving 141,175 subjects (9450 cases, 131,725 controls). Arsenic, antimony, and copper exposure exhibited a potential increase in GDM risk to some extent (As: OR = 1.28, 95 % CI [1.08, 1.52]; Sb: OR = 1.73, 95 % CI [1.13, 2.65]; Cu: OR = 1.29, 95 % CI [1.02, 1.63]), although there is a high degree of heterogeneity (As: Q = 52.93, p < 0.05, I2 = 64.1 %; Sb: Q = 31.40, p < 0.05, I2 = 80.9 %; Cu: Q = 21.14, p < 0.05, I2 = 71.6 %). Conversely, selenium, cadmium, chromium, and mercury exposure did not exhibit any association with the risk of GDM in our study.

DISCUSSION

Our research indicates that the existence of harmful metalloestrogens in the surroundings has a notable effect on the likelihood of GDM. Hence, we stress the significance of environmental elements in the development of GDM and the pressing need for relevant policies and measures.

Investigation of the Association of Serum Trace Elements Concentrations and Serum Biochemical Parameters with the Risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Case-Control Study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrinological syndrome characterized by hyperandrogenism of ovarian origin and is often considered a predisposing factor for metabolic disorders. The objective of the study was to investigate serum levels of (a) trace elements (copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn)); and (b) biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), albumin, total protein, creatinine, and C-reactive protein (CRP) with risk of PCOS. Another objective was to explore the relationship between serum trace elements and biochemical variables. Serum trace elements were estimated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and biochemical parameters were estimated by colorimetric methods in 99 PCOS cases and 82 controls. Linear and non-linear associations of serum variables with PCOS risk were studied under logistic, probit, GAM, and BKMR model. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 22.0 and R package version 4.2.1. All studied serum trace elements (except Zn) are significantly associated with PCOS. Combined effect analysis revealed Mg-Se and Fe-Cu association with PCOS risk. A significant association of cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, CRP, and albumin was observed. Furthermore, linear regression analysis suggests an association between Mg-Cu and Mg-Fe-Mn with HDL-C; Fe and Cr-Cu with albumin; and Cu-Se with cholesterol and LDL-C both.

Virtually selected phytochemicals from edible seeds as possible potential medicaments for hypercholesterolemia: an in silico approach

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major health concerns in today's time. Bioactive compounds from various sources have been implicated in managing the conditions of Hypercholesterolemia. With advancements in research, several edible seeds have been explored in managing the disease. This study employs in silico approach to gain insights into the binding interactions of the bioactive compounds which are reportedly present in Edible seeds, against the protein HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a crucial role in cholesterol metabolism. The bioactive compounds were virtually screened and selected based on molecular docking studies which revealed the strong binding interactions of HMG-CoA reductase with Acacetin (-7.6 kcal/mol), Irilone (-7.5 kcal/mol), Orobanchol (-7.5 kcal/mol), Diadzein (-7.4 kcal/mol) and Malvidin (-7.4 kcal/mol). These compounds largely conformed to drug likeliness criteria and ADME properties with lesser mutagenic, hepatotoxic effects and higher absorption percentage in human intestine. Moreover, we performed molecular dynamics simulation studies for docked complexes to explore their stability under simulated conditions. Data gathered from this study will support the future in vitro and in vivo research in development of potential medicaments using the bioactive compounds from edible seeds for management of hypercholesterolemia.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exploration of novel ligands to target C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2) as a promising pharmacological treatment against traumatic brain injury

It is widely reported that the overexpression of the C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2) has negative implications in neuroinflammatory diseases such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), although promising drugs to tackle this have been less forthcoming. As of 2016, only 2 drugs specifically targeting this receptor have made their way to market, with unsuccessful outcome unfortunately, suggesting that the search for more specific and precise ligands is utterly necessary. In this paper we hypothesized that by targeting Glu291, Met295, Trp98, Leu45 and Val189 amino acids, essential in the binding of CCR2 with C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2), the endogenous substrate, mitigates its activity in TBI. We used a pharmacophore model to screen for suitable ligands that may bind to CCR2, which returned 871 ligands. Docking and molecular dynamics results uncovered that two ligands (A102) and (A435) contained several of those important residues and showed a stability and compactness when in complex with CCR2, with these results confirmed by MMGBSA calculations with A102 recording a better interaction compared to A435. Finally, a PPI network was built to explore downstream signaling being regulated by both ligands in TBI, showing amyloid precursor protein (APP) as a key target and neuroactive-ligand receptor interaction (1.80E-27) the top functional annotated category. In conclusion, for the first time we report novel ligands A102 and A435 targeting CCR2 as a potential new pharmacological approach to target inflammation post-TBI.

Dietary selenium intake and risk of hospitalization for type 2 diabetes in the Moli-sani study cohort

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Experimental and non-experimental human studies have consistently shown a positive association between exposure to the trace element selenium, which occurs primarily through diet, and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Plausible biological mechanisms include adverse effects of selenium and selenium-containing proteins on glucose metabolism. However, the levels of exposure above which risk increases are uncertain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined the association between selenium intake and first hospitalization for type 2 diabetes during a median follow-up period of 8.2 years among 21,335 diabetes-free participants in the Moli-sani cohort, Italy. Selenium intake was ascertained at baseline using a food frequency questionnaire, showing a median value of 59 μg/day. During follow-up, we identified 135 incident cases of hospitalization for diabetes, based on population-based hospital discharge data. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hospitalization for diabetes, adjusting for potential confounders. HRs (95% CIs) were 1.01 (0.60-1.70), 1.13 (0.66-1.96) and 1.75 (0.99-3.10) comparing the second, third, and fourth sex-specific quartiles with the first quartile, respectively. Risk was 64% greater in the fourth quartile as compared with the previous three. Spline regression analysis also indicated a steeper increase in risk occurring among men compared with women.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large population of Italian adults free of type 2 diabetes at cohort entry, high dietary selenium intake was associated with increased risk of hospitalization for diabetes.

Integrative Management of Pancreatic Cancer (PDAC): Emerging Complementary Agents and Modalities

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease. The standard first-line treatment for PDAC is gemcitabine chemotherapy which, unfortunately, offers only limited chance of a lasting cure. This review further evaluates the hypothesis that the effectiveness of gemcitabine can be improved by combining it with evidence-based complementary measures. Previously, supported by clinical trial data, we suggested that a number of dietary factors and nutraceuticals can be integrated with gemcitabine therapy. Here, we evaluate a further 10 agents for which no clinical trials have (yet) been carried out but there are promising data from in vivo and/or in vitro studies including experiments involving combined treatments with gemcitabine. Two groups of complementary agents are considered: Dietary factors (resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, vitamin B9, capsaicin, quercetin and sulforaphane) and nutraceutical agents (artemisinin, garcinol, thymoquinone and emodin). In addition, we identified seven promising agents for which there is currently only basic (mostly in vitro) data. Finally, as a special case of combination therapy, we highlighted synergistic drug combinations involving gemcitabine with "repurposed" aspirin or metformin. We conclude overall that integrated management of PDAC currently is likely to produce the best outcome for patients and for this a wide range of complementary measures is available.

A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of exposure to environmental selenium and the risk of type 2 diabetes in nonexperimental studies

Accumulating evidence from both experimental and nonexperimental human studies in the last 15 years indicates that exposure to high levels of the trace element selenium increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the relation of dose to effect is not well understood because randomized controlled trials used only one dose (200 μg/day) of selenium supplementation. While no new trial on this topic has been published since 2018, several nonexperimental studies have appeared. We therefore updated a previous meta-analysis to include recently published observational studies, and incorporated the recently developed one-stage random-effects model to display the dose-response relation between selenium and type 2 diabetes. We retrieved 34 potentially eligible nonexperimental studies on selenium and diabetes risk up to April 15, 2021. The bulk of the evidence indicates a direct relation between blood, dietary and urinary levels of selenium and risk of diabetes, but not with nail selenium, which may be considered a less reliable biomarker. The association was nonlinear, with risk increasing above 80 μg/day of dietary selenium. Whole blood/plasma/serum selenium concentrations of 160 μg/L corresponded to a risk ratio of 1.96 (95% CI 1.27-3.03) compared with a concentration of 90 μg/L (approximately 60 μg of daily selenium intake). The cohort studies, which are less susceptible to reverse causation bias, indicated increased risk for both blood and urine selenium levels and dietary selenium intake, whereas no such pattern emerged from studies relying on nail selenium content. Overall, the nonexperimental studies agree with findings from randomized controlled trials, indicating that moderate to high levels of selenium exposure are associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes.