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Khalil B, Sharif-Askari NS, Hafezi S, Sharif-Askari FS, Al Anouti F, Hamid Q, Halwani R. Vitamin D regulates COVID-19 associated severity by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302818. [PMID: 38748756 PMCID: PMC11095707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of vitamin D3 (VitD3) in modulating innate and adaptive immunity has been reported in different disease contexts. Since the start of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the role of VitD3 has been highlighted in many correlational and observational studies. However, the exact mechanisms of action are not well identified. One of the mechanisms via which VitD3 modulates innate immunity is by regulating the NLRP3-inflammasome pathway, being a main underlying cause of SARS-CoV-2-induced hyperinflammation. AIMS AND MAIN METHODS Blood specimens of severe COVID-19 patients with or without VitD3 treatment were collected during their stay in the intensive care unit and patients were followed up for 29 days. qPCR, western blot, and ELISA were done to investigate the mechanism of action of VitD3 on the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. KEY FINDINGS We here report the ability of VitD3 to downregulate the NLRP3-inflammsome pathway in severe COVID-19 patients. Lower inflammasome pathway activation was observed with significantly lower gene and protein expression of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, ASC and IL-1β among severe COVID-19 patients treated with VitD3. The reduction of the inflammasome pathway was associated with a reduction in disease severity markers and enhancement of type I IFN pathway. SIGNIFICANCE Our data reveals an important anti-inflammatory effect of VitD3 during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further investigations are warranted to better characterize the ability of VitD3 to control disease pathogenesis and prevent progression to severe states. This will allow for a more efficient use of a low cost and accessible treatment like VitD3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bariaa Khalil
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Narjes Saheb Sharif-Askari
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shirin Hafezi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatemeh Saheb Sharif-Askari
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Qutayba Hamid
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rabih Halwani
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Prince Abdullah Ben Khaled Celiac Disease Research Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Ahsan N, Imran M, Mohammed Y, Al Anouti F, Khan MI, Banerjee T, Adnan M, Ashfaq F, Kieliszek M, Ashraf SA, Haq A. Mechanistic Insight into the role of Vitamin D and Zinc in Modulating Immunity Against COVID-19: A View from an Immunological Standpoint. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:5546-5560. [PMID: 36890344 PMCID: PMC9995175 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03620-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is characterized by worsened inflammation because of weakened immunity, causing the infiltration of immune cells, followed by necrosis. Consequently, these pathophysiological changes may lead to a life-threatening decline in perfusion due to hyperplasia of the lungs, instigating severe pneumonia, and causing fatalities. Additionally, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can cause mortality due to viral septic shock, resulting from unrestrained and backfiring immune reactions to the pathogen. Sepsis can cause premature organ failure in COVID-19 patients, as well. Notably, vitamin D and its derivatives and minerals, such as zinc and magnesium, have been reported to improve the immune system against respiratory illnesses. This comprehensive review aims to provide updated mechanistic details of vitamin D and zinc as immunomodulators. Additionally, this review also focuses on their role in respiratory illnesses, while specifically delineating the plausibility of employing them as a preventive and therapeutic agent against current and future pandemics from an immunological perspective. Furthermore, this comprehensive review will attract the attention of health professionals, nutritionists, pharmaceuticals, and scientific communities, as it encourages the use of such micronutrients for therapeutic purposes, as well as promoting their health benefits for a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuzhat Ahsan
- Quantum Biphotonics Division, Quantlase Laboratory LLC, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Mohammad Imran
- Therapeutic Research Group, Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4102, Australia
| | - Yousuf Mohammed
- Therapeutic Research Group, Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4102, Australia
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Mohammad Idreesh Khan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Health Sciences in Ar Rass, Qassim University, Ar Rass, 51921, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tanushree Banerjee
- Infosys Ltd. SEZ Unit VI, Plot No. 1, Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadi Phase I, Pune, Maharashtra, 57, India
| | - Mohd Adnan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha'il, P.O. Box 2440, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fauzia Ashfaq
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marek Kieliszek
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159 C, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Syed Amir Ashraf
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia.
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Mohammed AA, Abo El-Matty DM, Abd ElSalam EA, Hussein MA, Hafez W, Ibrahim SA, Shaheen EAH, Awad EA, Osman MA, Abd El-Raouf MS, Saed SM, El-Amir RY, Ghaith D, Al Anouti F, Wahba AS. Evaluating the Feasibility of Pro-Neurotensin and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 as Possible Indicators for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11081088. [PMID: 37107924 PMCID: PMC10138095 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11081088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome are associated with decreased vitamin D. In contrast, high pro-neurotensin (pro-NT) levels are linked with an increased risk of T2DM and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the validity of pro-NT and 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 levels as predictors for T2DM complications; (2) Methods: One hundred T2DM, and one hundred healthy volunteers participated in this case-control study. Their Pro-NT and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were evaluated using the ELISA technique; (3) Results: Pro-NT and 25 (OH) vitamin D3 have significant validity and accuracy in T2DM prediction, 84.5%, and 90.5%, respectively (p = 0.001). At a value of <29.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 showed 88% sensitivity and 93% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of >124 Pmol/L, Pro-NT showed 81% sensitivity and 88% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of 16.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 had 78.4% sensitivity and 68.3% specificity in predicting T2DM complications. At a value of >158 pmol/L, Pro-NT predicted T2DM complications with 67.6% sensitivity and 56.0% specificity; (4) Conclusions: 25 (OH) Vit D3 and Pro-NT could identify T2DM patients and predict T2DM complications. More extensive research is required to adequately validate this novel perspective with a large population study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal A Mohammed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI), Cairo 11796, Egypt
| | - Dina M Abo El-Matty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Esraa A Abd ElSalam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Mona A Hussein
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Wael Hafez
- Department of Internal Medicine, The National Research Centre, Cairo 11511, Egypt
| | - Sharehan A Ibrahim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minya 61511, Egypt
| | - Eman A H Shaheen
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
| | - Eman A Awad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
| | - Marwa A Osman
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Marwa S Abd El-Raouf
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha 13511, Egypt
| | - Salma M Saed
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Reham Y El-Amir
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Doaa Ghaith
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alaa S Wahba
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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Grant WB, Al Anouti F, Boucher BJ, Fakhoury HMA, Moukayed M, Pilz S, Al-Daghri NM. Evidence That Increasing Serum 25(OH)D Concentrations to 30 ng/mL in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates Could Greatly Improve Health Outcomes. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11040994. [PMID: 37189612 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11040994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence supports the potential protective effects of vitamin D against chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune diseases, cancers, cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and infectious diseases such as acute respiratory tract diseases, COVID-19, influenza, and pneumonia, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. The respective evidence is based on ecological and observational studies, randomized controlled trials, mechanistic studies, and Mendelian randomization studies. However, randomized controlled trials on vitamin D supplementation have largely failed to show benefits, probably due to poor design and analysis. In this work, we aim to use the best available evidence on the potential beneficial effects of vitamin D to estimate the expected reduction in incidence and mortality rates of vitamin D-related diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates if minimum serum 25(OH)D concentrations were to be raised to 30 ng/mL. Estimated reductions by 25% for myocardial infarction incidence, 35% for stroke incidence, 20 to 35% for cardiovascular disease mortality, and 35% for cancer mortality rates depicted a promising potential for raising serum 25(OH)D. Methods to increase serum 25(OH)D concentrations at the population level could include food fortification with vitamin D3, vitamin D supplementation, improved dietary vitamin D intake, and sensible sun exposure.
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Mohammed AA, El-Matty DMA, Abdel-Azeem R, Raafat K, Hussein MA, El-Ansary AR, Hafez W, Hassan HA, Nassar NA, Selim NM, Ghaith D, Kholy AAE, Abd El Salam SM, Anouti FA, Wahba AS. Allelic Discrimination of Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Controlled Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11040485. [PMID: 36833019 PMCID: PMC9956945 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11040485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the rapidly growing healthcare problems, and several vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms seem to modulate the risk of T2DM. Our research was designed to investigate the allelic discrimination of VDR polymorphisms and T2DM occurrence risk. (2) Methods: This case-control research included 156 patients with T2DM and 145 healthy control subjects. Most of the study population were males 56.6% vs. 62.8% in the case and control groups, respectively. Genotyping for VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs228570 (Fok1), rs7975232 (Apa1), and rs1544410 (Bsm1) was compared between both groups. (3) Results: There was a negative link between vitamin D levels and insulin sensitivity. A significant difference was noted in the allelic discrimination of VDR polymorphism rs228570 and rs1544410 between the study groups (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in the allelic discrimination of VDR polymorphism rs7975232 between the groups (p = 0.063). Moreover, T2DM patients had significantly higher levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, 2-h post-prandial blood sugar (PP), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), total cholesterol, and triglycerides (p < 0.001), while High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased (p = 0.006). (4) Conclusions: VDR polymorphisms had a positive association with T2DM risk among the Egyptian population. Further large-scale research using deep sequencing of samples is strongly urged to investigate different vitamin D gene variants and interactions, as well as the influence of vitamin D on T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Ahmed Mohammed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI), Cairo 11796, Egypt
| | - Dina M. Abo El-Matty
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Rola Abdel-Azeem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Khaled Raafat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo11566, Egypt
| | - Mona A. Hussein
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Amira R. El-Ansary
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza 12577, Egypt
| | - Wael Hafez
- Department of Internal Medicine, The National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +20-9712235000
| | - Hatem Ahmed Hassan
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt
| | | | - Nora Mahmoud Selim
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
| | - Doaa Ghaith
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
| | - Amal A. El Kholy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Soha M. Abd El Salam
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez University, Suez 43512, Egypt
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alaa S. Wahba
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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AlBlooshi S, Al Anouti F, Hijazi R. Knowledge about Vitamin D among Women in the United Arab Emirates. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:1252. [PMID: 36674002 PMCID: PMC9859501 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is a significant public health issue as it affects almost 90% of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population. A bigger portion of this percentage is women due to the physiological changes throughout their life cycle. This study aims to assess the knowledge about vitamin D among women in the UAE. This is a quantitative cross-sectional study. Using snowball sampling, an electronic questionnaire was sent to women aged 18 years and above. Overall, 1537 women completed the questionnaire. The participants had mean scores of 49.4 ± 10.7 and 59.6 ± 14.6 for general and nutritional knowledge, respectively. Factors associated with higher scores included older age, marriage, higher educational level, and having tested their vitamin D levels. Factors associated with lower scores included the history of a chronic illness and being employed. Findings indicate that women in this study showed a low level of vitamin D knowledge specifically regarding the non-skeletal benefits of vitamin D and factors that affect vitamin D synthesis. Therefore, health education and promotion programs must be implemented across the UAE to improve overall awareness about vitamin D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharifa AlBlooshi
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai P.O. Box 19282, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rafiq Hijazi
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 144534, United Arab Emirates
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Grant WB, Al Anouti F, Boucher BJ. Comment on: Association between vitamin D and cardiovascular health: Myth or fact? A narrative review of the evidence. Womens Health (Lond) 2023; 19:17455057231175310. [PMID: 37232175 DOI: 10.1177/17455057231175310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- William B Grant
- Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Barbara J Boucher
- The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Barts, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Al Anouti F, Grant WB, Thomas J, AlBlooshi S, Karras S. Associations between Dietary Intake of Vitamin D, Sun Exposure, and Generalized Anxiety among College Women. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14245327. [PMID: 36558485 PMCID: PMC9780868 DOI: 10.3390/nu14245327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D insufficiency impacts about half of the population worldwide. Almost one billion individuals across all ages and ethnicities suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Hypovitaminosis D is mainly related to lifestyle choices and habits, such as outdoor activities and food intake. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between vitamin D status and anxiety symptoms. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between anxiety and factors including age, vitamin D deficiency, citizens, dietary and supplementary vitamin D intake, along with sun exposure, among a sample of female college students in the United Arab Emirates. A descriptive questionnaire, including a short version of the generalized anxiety disorder scale, food frequency questionnaire, and sun avoidance inventory, was used to assess the relationship between the dietary intake of vitamin D-rich foods and supplements, along with sun avoidance/exposure and generalized anxiety, among a total of 386 female participants aged 18 and above. The findings showed clear evidence that sun avoidance behaviors are strongly associated with an elevated risk of generalized anxiety disorder among adult females in the United Arab Emirates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: (F.A.A.); (S.K.)
| | - William B. Grant
- Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 641603, San Francisco, CA 94164, USA
| | - Justin Thomas
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 5UX, UK
| | - Sharifa AlBlooshi
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai P.O. Box 19282, United Arab Emirates
| | - Spyridon Karras
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School of Aristotle University, 55535 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: (F.A.A.); (S.K.)
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Grant WB, Boucher BJ, Al Anouti F, Pilz S. Comparing the Evidence from Observational Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials for Nonskeletal Health Effects of Vitamin D. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14183811. [PMID: 36145186 PMCID: PMC9501276 DOI: 10.3390/nu14183811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although observational studies of health outcomes generally suggest beneficial effects with, or following, higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have generally not supported those findings. Here we review results from observational studies and RCTs regarding how vitamin D status affects several nonskeletal health outcomes, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, autoimmune diseases, cancers, cardiovascular disease, COVID-19, major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, all-cause mortality, respiratory tract infections, and pregnancy outcomes. We also consider relevant findings from ecological, Mendelian randomization, and mechanistic studies. Although clear discrepancies exist between findings of observational studies and RCTs on vitamin D and human health benefits these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Bias and confounding are seen in observational studies and vitamin D RCTs have several limitations, largely due to being designed like RCTs of therapeutic drugs, thereby neglecting vitamin D’s being a nutrient with a unique metabolism that requires specific consideration in trial design. Thus, RCTs of vitamin D can fail for several reasons: few participants’ having low baseline 25(OH)D concentrations, relatively small vitamin D doses, participants’ having other sources of vitamin D, and results being analyzed without consideration of achieved 25(OH)D concentrations. Vitamin D status and its relevance for health outcomes can usefully be examined using Hill’s criteria for causality in a biological system from results of observational and other types of studies before further RCTs are considered and those findings would be useful in developing medical and public health policy, as they were for nonsmoking policies. A promising approach for future RCT design is adjustable vitamin D supplementation based on interval serum 25(OH)D concentrations to achieve target 25(OH)D levels suggested by findings from observational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B. Grant
- Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center, San Francisco, CA 94164-1603, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Barbara J. Boucher
- The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Barts, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates
| | - Stefan Pilz
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
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Sharif-Askari FS, Hafezi S, Sharif-Askari NS, Alsayed HAH, Mdkhana B, Selvakumar B, Temsah MH, Saddik B, Al Anouti F, Halwani R. Vitamin D modulates systemic inflammation in patients with severe COVID-19. Life Sci 2022; 307:120909. [PMID: 36028169 PMCID: PMC9398944 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aims The ability of vitamin D (VitD) to modulate immune responses in the clinical setting of COVID-19 infection is not well investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of VitD to attenuate inflammatory responses in patients with severe COVID-19. Materials and methods Blood samples and nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from patients with severe COVID-19 who had been treated (20 patients), or not (25 patients), with VitD, during their stay in the intensive care unit. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expressions of STAT3, JNK and AKT signaling pathways and ELISA was used to measure levels of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-1β in blood of these patients. Key findings Reduced levels of STAT3, JNK and AKT pathways and lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-17, and IL-1β were observed in VitD treated patients (50,000 IU of cholecalciferol weekly for 3 weeks), and in vitro following treatment of poly I:C stimulated PBMCs with VitD (50 nM of calcitriol). Moreover, lower circulatory levels of these proinflammatory cytokines following treatment with VitD were associated with lower serum levels of COVID-19-related severity markers such as D-dimer and C-reactive proteins (P < 0.001) which in overall resulted in shorter length of ICU stay for VitD treated compared to untreated patients (18 days for VitD treated vs. 28 days for VitD untreated; P = 0.01). Significance This study reveals that VitD plays immunomodulatory role during COVID-19 infection, which further emphasizes the importance of maintaining a normal level of this vitamin for the prevention of hyperinflammatory conditions associated with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shirin Hafezi
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Bushra Mdkhana
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Balachandar Selvakumar
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamad-Hani Temsah
- Immunology Research Lab, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basema Saddik
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rabih Halwani
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Prince Abdullah Ben Khaled Celiac Disease Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
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Al Anouti F, Thomas J, Karras S, El Asswad N. Outdoor Activity in the Daytime, but Not the Nighttime, Predicts Better Mental Health Status During the COVID-19 Curfew in the United Arab Emirates. Front Public Health 2022; 10:829362. [PMID: 35444992 PMCID: PMC9013851 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.829362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated infection prevention and control measures had a negative impact on the mental health of many people. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), infection control measures implemented after March 24th, 2020, placed necessary restrictions on people's freedom of movement. Aim This study aimed to assess the association between levels of daytime vs. nighttime outdoor activity and mental health among a sample of UAE residents during the lockdown period. Method An opportunity sample of 245 participants completed an online survey assessing levels of depression, somatic symptoms, daytime and nighttime activity levels. Results Multivariate logistic regression revealed that daytime activity, but not nighttime activity, was associated with a lower risk of clinically significant depressive and somatic symptomatology. Conclusion The association of better mental health with daytime not nighttime outdoor activity could be possibly attributed to vitamin D, but further studies are needed to confirm this speculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- *Correspondence: Fatme Al Anouti
| | - Justin Thomas
- Department of Psychology, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Spyridon Karras
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nour El Asswad
- School of Global Health, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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12
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Anouti FA, Ahmed LA, Riaz A, Grant WB, Shah N, Ali R, Alkaabi J, Shah SM. Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Associated Factors among Female Migrants in the United Arab Emirates. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14051074. [PMID: 35268048 PMCID: PMC8912400 DOI: 10.3390/nu14051074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is important for bone health, and vitamin D deficiency could be linked to noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated risk factors among female migrants from Philippines, Arab, and South Asian countries residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We used a cross-sectional study to recruit a random sample (N = 550) of female migrants aged 18 years and over in the city of Al Ain, UAE. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations ≤20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. The mean age of participants was 35 years (SD ± 10). The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 67% (95% CI 60-73%), with the highest rate seen in Arabs (87%), followed by South Asians (83%) and the lowest in Filipinas (15%). Multivariate analyses showed that low physical activity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.59; 95% CI 1.98, 10.63), having more than 5 years duration of residence in the UAE (aOR = 4.65; 95% CI: 1.31, 16.53) and being obese (aOR = 3.56; 95% CI 1.04, 12.20) were independently associated with vitamin D deficiency, after controlling for age and nationality. In summary, vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among female migrants, especially Arabs and South Asians. It is crucial that health professionals in the UAE become aware of this situation among this vulnerable subpopulation and provide intervention strategies aiming to rectify vitamin D deficiency by focusing more on sun exposure, physical activity, and supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Luai A. Ahmed
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Azmat Riaz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajman University, Ajman 20550, United Arab Emirates;
| | - William B. Grant
- Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 641603, San Francisco, CA 94164-1603, USA;
| | - Nadir Shah
- Planning and Development Division, Government of Gilgit Baltistan, Gilgit 15100, Pakistan;
| | - Raghib Ali
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 129188, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Juma Alkaabi
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Syed M. Shah
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates;
- Department of Family Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi 3500, Pakistan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +92-971-3-713-7458
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13
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Grant WB, Al Anouti F, Boucher BJ, Dursun E, Gezen-Ak D, Jude EB, Karonova T, Pludowski P. A Narrative Review of the Evidence for Variations in Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration Thresholds for Optimal Health. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030639. [PMID: 35276999 PMCID: PMC8838864 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D3 has many important health benefits. Unfortunately, these benefits are not widely known among health care personnel and the general public. As a result, most of the world’s population has serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations far below optimal values. This narrative review examines the evidence for the major causes of death including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19 with regard to sub-optimal 25(OH)D concentrations. Evidence for the beneficial effects comes from a variety of approaches including ecological and observational studies, studies of mechanisms, and Mendelian randomization studies. Although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are generally considered the strongest form of evidence for pharmaceutical drugs, the study designs and the conduct of RCTs performed for vitamin D have mostly been flawed for the following reasons: they have been based on vitamin D dose rather than on baseline and achieved 25(OH)D concentrations; they have involved participants with 25(OH)D concentrations above the population mean; they have given low vitamin D doses; and they have permitted other sources of vitamin D. Thus, the strongest evidence generally comes from the other types of studies. The general finding is that optimal 25(OH)D concentrations to support health and wellbeing are above 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality rate, whereas the thresholds for several other outcomes appear to range up to 40 or 50 ng/mL. The most efficient way to achieve these concentrations is through vitamin D supplementation. Although additional studies are warranted, raising serum 25(OH)D concentrations to optimal concentrations will result in a significant reduction in preventable illness and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B. Grant
- Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 641603, San Francisco, CA 94164-1603, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-415-409-1980
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Barbara J. Boucher
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E12AT, UK;
| | - Erdinç Dursun
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34098, Turkey; (E.D.); (D.G.-A.)
| | - Duygu Gezen-Ak
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34098, Turkey; (E.D.); (D.G.-A.)
| | - Edward B. Jude
- Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Fountain Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 9RW, UK;
- The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Manchester Metropolitan University, All Saints Building, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
| | - Tatiana Karonova
- Clinical Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Endocrinology, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 194021 Saint-Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Pawel Pludowski
- Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04730 Warsaw, Poland;
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14
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Al Anouti F, Abboud M, Papandreou D, Haidar S, Mahboub N, Rizk R. Oral Health of Children and Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade. Front Oral Health 2021; 2:744328. [PMID: 35048059 PMCID: PMC8757796 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2021.744328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral diseases are a universal public health problem with serious health and economic burdens. These diseases are a major concern in the pediatric population specifically. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among all the diseases that affect children, oral diseases, particularly early childhood caries, are the most common despite improvement in the provision of oral health services. Enhancing oral health status is one of the key public health goals in the country. This current systematic review aims to summarize the available data on oral health among children and adolescents in the UAE over the past decade (2011-2021). The review was conducted following a predefined protocol and in concordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) via EBSCO, EMBASE via Ovid, the Cochrane Library, and the Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (IMEMR) databases, and the gray literature were searched for original studies reporting on oral health in the pediatric population in the UAE, without applying any language restriction. Twenty-nine studies were included reporting on a total of 43,916 participants; they were mostly cross-sectional, and emirate-based; they were mostly limited by their setting and convenient sampling. Among the general pediatric population, results showed a high prevalence of dental caries across different emirates. Nevertheless, it was difficult to provide a predictable profile of caries, as risk factors were not well-explored and inconsistent across studies. Suboptimal oral hygiene practices were also prevalent, in addition to a low utilization of dental services. Furthermore, included studies showed a high level of oral problems in children with different disease (down syndrome, cerebral palsy, thalassemia, autism…) and special conditions (children in prison nurseries); yet, in general, treatment indices were lower than their healthy counterparts. This review suggests that dental caries is a major pediatric health problem in the UAE. Risk factors included higher consumption of snacks, being in public schools, lower maternal education level, and socioeconomic status. Nevertheless, risk factors were not well-explored and inconsistent across studies. Suboptimal oral hygiene practices and a low utilization of dental services were also identified, in addition to a high level of oral problems in children with different disease coupled with lower treatment indices in comparison with their healthy counterparts. This systematic review provides crucial information for planning and evaluating effective oral health programs, identifies gaps in the recent research in this field, and paves the way for preventive and interventional studies targeting oral health in pediatrics in the UAE. Immediate oral health promotion strategies are needed to address this public health problem early in its course by creating conditions that promote oral health, and increasing uptake of dental services. Intensifying research to draw temporal trends, understand the profile of childhood caries in the UAE, and explore cost-effective national community prevention programs are also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Myriam Abboud
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dimitrios Papandreou
- Department of Health, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Suzan Haidar
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nadine Mahboub
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Rana Rizk
- Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie (INSPECT-Lb), Beirut, Lebanon
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15
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Karras SN, Dursun E, Alaylıoğlu M, Gezen-Ak D, Annweiler C, Al Anouti F, Fakhoury HMA, Bais A, Kiortsis D. Investigating the Role of Functional Polymorphism of Maternal and Neonatal Vitamin D Binding Protein in the Context of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Cutoffs as Determinants of Maternal-Neonatal Vitamin D Status Profiles in a Sunny Mediterranean Region. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13093082. [PMID: 34578960 PMCID: PMC8467735 DOI: 10.3390/nu13093082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent results indicate that dysregulation of vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) could be involved in the development of hypovitaminosis D, and it comprises a risk factor for adverse fetal, maternal and neonatal outcomes. Until recently, there was a paucity of results regarding the effect of maternal and neonatal VDBP polymorphisms on vitamin D status during pregnancy in the Mediterranean region, with a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. We aimed to evaluate the combined effect of maternal and neonatal VDBP polymorphisms and different maternal and neonatal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) cut-offs on maternal and neonatal vitamin D profile. Blood samples were obtained from a cohort of 66 mother–child pairs at birth. Our results revealed that: (i) Maternal VDBP polymorphisms do not affect neonatal vitamin D status at birth, in any given internationally adopted maternal or neonatal cut-off for 25(OH)D concentrations; (ii) neonatal VDBP polymorphisms are not implicated in the regulation of neonatal vitamin D status at birth; (iii) comparing the distributions of maternal VDBP polymorphisms and maternal 25(OH)D concentrations, with cut-offs at birth, revealed that mothers with a CC genotype for rs2298850 and a CC genotype for rs4588 tended to demonstrate higher 25(OH)D (≥75 nmol/L) during delivery (p = 0.05 and p = 0.04, respectively), after adjustments for biofactors that affect vitamin D equilibrium, including UVB, BMI and weeks of gestation. In conclusion, this study from Southern Europe indicates that maternal and neonatal VDBP polymorphisms do not affect neonatal vitamin D status at birth, whereas mothers with CC genotype for rs2298850 and CC genotype for rs4588 demonstrate higher 25(OH)D concentrations. Future larger studies are required to establish a causative effect of these specific polymorphisms in the attainment of an adequate (≥75 nmol/L) maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon N. Karras
- National Scholarship Foundation, 55535 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Erdinç Dursun
- Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Laboratories, Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34381 Istanbul, Turkey; (E.D.); (M.A.); (D.G.-A.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34381 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Alaylıoğlu
- Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Laboratories, Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34381 Istanbul, Turkey; (E.D.); (M.A.); (D.G.-A.)
| | - Duygu Gezen-Ak
- Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Laboratories, Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34381 Istanbul, Turkey; (E.D.); (M.A.); (D.G.-A.)
| | - Cedric Annweiler
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Memory Clinic, Research Center on Autonomy and Longevity, University Hospital, 49035 Angers, France;
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Hana M. A. Fakhoury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, AlFaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Alkiviadis Bais
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Kiortsis
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
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16
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Abboud M, Al Anouti F, Papandreou D, Rizk R, Mahboub N, Haidar S. Vitamin D status and blood pressure in children and adolescents: a systematic review of observational studies. Syst Rev 2021; 10:60. [PMID: 33618764 PMCID: PMC7898425 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-021-01584-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood hypertension is a growing public health problem. Simultaneously, hypovitaminosis D is widespread in this population and could be associated with hypertension. This study systematically reviewed the literature on the relationship between vitamin D status and blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents. METHODS Following the PRISMA guidelines, PUBMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov and the gray literature without language or time restrictions were searched. We included observational studies, assessed their risk of bias, and extracted data on population characteristics, vitamin D status and BP measurements, and the association between the two variables. A narrative analysis of the studies was performed. RESULTS In total, 85 studies were included. Prospective cohort studies showed no association between vitamin D and BP, and generally, they were flawed. Also, the majority of non-prospective cohort studies (cross-sectional, retrospective, case-control) did not report an association between vitamin D and BP. They were mostly flawed regarding BP measurement and adjusting to potential confounders. CONCLUSION The results on the relationship between vitamin D status and BP in children and adolescents varied between the studies, and mainly pointed towards lack of association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Abboud
- Department of Health, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Health, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dimitrios Papandreou
- Department of Health, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rana Rizk
- Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie (INSPECT-Lb), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nadine Mahboub
- Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan Haidar
- Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Fakhoury HMA, Kvietys PR, AlKattan W, Anouti FA, Elahi MA, Karras SN, Grant WB. Vitamin D and intestinal homeostasis: Barrier, microbiota, and immune modulation. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 200:105663. [PMID: 32194242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in intestinal homeostasis. Vitamin D can impact the function of virtually every cell in the gut by binding to its intracellular receptor (VDR) and subsequently transcribing relevant genes. In the lumen, the mucus layer and the underlying epithelium serve to keep resident microbiota at bay. Vitamin D ensures an appropriate level of antimicrobial peptides in the mucus and maintains epithelial integrity by reinforcing intercellular junctions. Should bacteria penetrate the epithelial layer and enter the interstitium, immune sentinel cells (e.g. macrophages, dendritic cells, and innate lymphoid cells) elicit inflammation and trigger the adaptive immune response by activating Th1/Th17 cells. Vitamin D/VDR signaling in these cells ensures clearance of the bacteria. Subsequently, vitamin D also quiets the adaptive immune system by suppressing the Th1/Th17 cells and favoring Treg cells. The importance of vitamin D/VDR signaling in intestinal homeostasis is evidenced by the development of a chronic inflammatory state (e.g. IBD) when this signaling system is disrupted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana M A Fakhoury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Peter R Kvietys
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael AlKattan
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Nutrition, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muhammad Affan Elahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Spyridon N Karras
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and Diabetes Center, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - William B Grant
- Director, Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Al Anouti F, Pludowski P, White JH. Highlights from the Abu Dhabi International Conference on Vitamin D Deficiency and Human Health, "Health Consequences of Vitamin D Deficiency and Treatment", United Arab Emirates, March 14-15, 2019. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 200:105653. [PMID: 32165311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fatme Al Anouti
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Pawel Pludowski
- Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - John H White
- Departments of Physiology and Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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19
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Karras SN, Koufakis T, Antonopoulou V, Goulis DG, Alaylıoğlu M, Dursun E, Gezen-Ak D, Annweiler C, Pilz S, Fakhoury H, Al Anouti F, Harizopoulou V, Naughton DP, Zebekakis P, Kotsa K. Vitamin D receptor Fokl polymorphism is a determinant of both maternal and neonatal vitamin D concentrations at birth. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 199:105568. [PMID: 31870913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Maternal vitamin D deficiency is considered to be the key determinant of the development of neonatal vitamin D deficiency at birth and during early infancy. Specific vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have been associated with adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal and neonatal VDR polymorphisms (ApaI, TaqI, BsmI, FokI, Tru9I) on maternal and neonatal vitamin D status. VDR polymorphisms were genotyped in 70 mother-neonate pairs of Greek origin, and classified according to international thresholds for Vitamin D status. Mean neonatal and maternal 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were 35 ± 20 and 47 ± 26 nmol/l, respectively. Neonatal VDR polymorphisms were not associated with neonatal 25(OH)D concentrations. In contrast, mothers with the Fokl FF polymorphism had a 70 % lower risk of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <30 nmol/l] compared with ff ones, after adjustment for several confounders. They were also in 73 % and 88 % lower risk of giving birth to vitamin D deficient [25(OH)D <30 nmol/l] neonates compared with Ff and ff mothers, respectively. These results suggest a protective role of maternal Fokl FF genotype against both maternal and neonatal vitamin D deficiency. Further studies are needed to clarify the complex gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that determine vitamin D status at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon N Karras
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Theocharis Koufakis
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Antonopoulou
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios G Goulis
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Merve Alaylıoğlu
- Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erdinc Dursun
- Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Duygu Gezen-Ak
- Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cedric Annweiler
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France, University Memory Clinic, UPRES EA 4638, University of Angers, UNAM, Angers, France; Robarts Research Institute, Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stefan Pilz
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hana Fakhoury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, AlFaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Zayed University, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vikentia Harizopoulou
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Pantelis Zebekakis
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Kotsa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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20
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Grant WB, Al Anouti F, Moukayed M. Targeted 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration measurements and vitamin D 3 supplementation can have important patient and public health benefits. Eur J Clin Nutr 2020; 74:366-376. [PMID: 31996793 DOI: 10.1038/s41430-020-0564-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, many studies reported the benefits of higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations for nonskeletal effects. Researchers found significant benefits in reducing risk of acute respiratory tract infections, many types of cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, premature death, and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. In addition, 25(OH)D concentrations are low for various reasons in several categories of people, including the obese, those with dark skin living at higher latitudes, the elderly, and those who do not eat much eggs, fish, meat, or vitamin D fortified milk. Measuring 25(OH)D concentrations is one way to both increase the awareness of vitamin D's importance in maintaining good health and to encourage vitamin D supplementation or increased solar ultraviolet-B exposure to sustain well-being throughout life by reducing disease incidence. Although 20 ng/ml seems adequate to reduce risk of skeletal problems and acute respiratory tract infections, concentrations above 30 ng/ml have been associated with reduced risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Thus, judicious testing of 25(OH)D concentrations could reduce disease incidence and make treatment expenditures more cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B Grant
- Director, Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 641603, San Francisco, CA, 94164-1603, USA.
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Nutrition, Zayed University, P.O. Box 4783, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Meis Moukayed
- School of Arts and Sciences, American University in Dubai, P.O. Box 28282, Dubai, UAE
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21
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Grant WB, Fakhoury HMA, Karras SN, Al Anouti F, Bhattoa HP. Variations in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Countries from the Middle East and Europe: The Roles of UVB Exposure and Diet. Nutrients 2019; 11:E2065. [PMID: 31484329 PMCID: PMC6769941 DOI: 10.3390/nu11092065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) has been largely associated with latitude and sunshine exposure across several regions. According to previous results, 25(OH)D concentrations are, on average, relatively low in countries with abundant sunshine, including those of the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as lower-latitude Europe. The standard explanation for this phenomenon is that people wear concealing clothing because of cultural and religious practices and that high temperatures in summer limit direct sun exposure. However, the role of diet in the development of profound hypovitaminosis D has not been adequately explored in those countries. To examine how diet affects vitamin D status in the Middle Eastern and European countries, a search was conducted for papers from that region reporting 25(OH)D concentrations. Papers were sought that reported summertime and wintertime 25(OH)D concentrations for healthy nonpregnant adults representative of the entire population. Data from 15 Middle Eastern and European countries were found through this search. Data for postmenopausal women from 19 European countries were also obtained. Dietary supply data for animal products containing vitamin D (animal fat, eggs, ocean fish, animal meat, and milk) were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Latitude and a solar UVB dose index also were obtained for each country. For the 15-country study, energy from dietary factors was highly correlated with latitude, making it difficult to separate the effects of UVB exposure and dietary factors. However, for the 19-country study, dietary factors were only weakly correlated with latitude. In that study, ocean fish was the most important single dietary factor affecting serum 25(OH)D concentration for postmenopausal women in various European countries, but animal fat and meat also contributed. Because this is an ecological study, further research is encouraged to evaluate and extend the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B Grant
- Director, Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, P.O. Box 641603, San Francisco, CA 94164-1603, USA.
| | - Hana M A Fakhoury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Spyridon N Karras
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and Diabetes Center, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, 55535 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Nutrition, Zayed University, P.O. Box 4783, Abu Dhabi 144534, UAE
| | - Harjit P Bhattoa
- Endocrinology Unit and Andrology and Cryopreservation Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Debrecen Nagyerdei krt. 98, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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22
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Al Anouti F, Taha Z, Shamim S, Khalaf K, Al Kaabi L, Alsafar H. An insight into the paradigms of osteoporosis: From genetics to biomechanics. Bone Rep 2019; 11:100216. [PMID: 31372373 PMCID: PMC6661363 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2019.100216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Considered as one of the major epidemics of the 21st century, osteoporosis affects approximately 200 million people globally, with significant worldwide impact on rates of morbidity and mortality and massive socioeconomic burdens. Mainly characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of bone fragility/deterioration, this devastating silent epidemic typically has no symptoms until a fracture occurs. The multifactorial disease, osteoporosis is instigated by complex interactions between genetic, metabolic and environmental factors, with severe impact on the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. This article provides a review of the epidemiology, genetic and biomechanical aspects of primary osteoporosis. The review begins with a summary of the epidemiology and global prevalence of osteoporosis. Sections 1 and 2 discuss the genetic associations and molecular signaling pathways involved in normal and pathological osteogenesis while Section 3 explores the biomechanics of osteoporosis and its quantitative damaging effects on critical bone mechanical properties, and associated bone remodeling. Overall, this review summarizes the recent findings about osteoporosis and emphasizes the importance of an integrative holistic approach in investigating osteoporosis towards providing better informed, more effective preventive and treatment modalities. Importantly, this work also explores the limited available literature on the various aspects of osteoporosis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Middle East despite its alarming prevalence in the region, and highlights the need for further research and studies taking into consideration the importance of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene influencing the development of osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatme Al Anouti
- Zayed University, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Zainab Taha
- Zayed University, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sadia Shamim
- Khalifa University Center for Biotechnology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab emirates
| | - Kinda Khalaf
- Khalifa University of Science & Technology, Biomedical Department, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leena Al Kaabi
- Khalifa University of Science & Technology, Biomedical Department, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Khalifa University Center for Biotechnology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab emirates.,Khalifa University of Science & Technology, Biomedical Department, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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23
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Vallès Y, Inman CK, Peters BA, Ali R, Wareth LA, Abdulle A, Alsafar H, Anouti FA, Dhaheri AA, Galani D, Haji M, Hamiz AA, Hosani AA, Houqani MA, Junaibi AA, Kazim M, Kirchhoff T, Mahmeed WA, Maskari FA, Alnaeemi A, Oumeziane N, Ramasamy R, Schmidt AM, Weitzman M, Zaabi EA, Sherman S, Hayes RB, Ahn J. Types of tobacco consumption and the oral microbiome in the United Arab Emirates Healthy Future (UAEHFS) Pilot Study. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11327. [PMID: 30054546 PMCID: PMC6063860 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29730-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cigarette smoking alters the oral microbiome; however, the effect of alternative tobacco products remains unclear. Middle Eastern tobacco products like dokha and shisha, are becoming globally widespread. We tested for the first time in a Middle Eastern population the hypothesis that different tobacco products impact the oral microbiome. The oral microbiome of 330 subjects from the United Arab Emirates Healthy Future Study was assessed by amplifying the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from mouthwash samples. Tobacco consumption was assessed using a structured questionnaire and further validated by urine cotinine levels. Oral microbiome overall structure and specific taxon abundances were compared, using PERMANOVA and DESeq analyses respectively. Our results show that overall microbial composition differs between smokers and nonsmokers (p = 0.0001). Use of cigarettes (p = 0.001) and dokha (p = 0.042) were associated with overall microbiome structure, while shisha use was not (p = 0.62). The abundance of multiple genera were significantly altered (enriched/depleted) in cigarette smokers; however, only Actinobacillus, Porphyromonas, Lautropia and Bifidobacterium abundances were significantly changed in dokha users whereas no genera were significantly altered in shisha smokers. For the first time, we show that smoking dokha is associated to oral microbiome dysbiosis, suggesting that it could have similar effects as smoking cigarettes on oral health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Vallès
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Claire K Inman
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Brandilyn A Peters
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Raghib Ali
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Laila Abdel Wareth
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Abdishakur Abdulle
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Biomedical Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Ayesha Al Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition, College of Food and Agriculture; UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE
| | - Divya Galani
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Muna Haji
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Aisha Al Hamiz
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Ayesha Al Hosani
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Mohammed Al Houqani
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE
| | | | - Marina Kazim
- Department of Pathology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Tomas Kirchhoff
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Wael Al Mahmeed
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Fatma Al Maskari
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE
| | | | | | - Ravichandran Ramasamy
- Diabetes Research Program, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Ann Marie Schmidt
- Diabetes Research Program, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Michael Weitzman
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Eiman Al Zaabi
- Department of Pathology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Scott Sherman
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Richard B Hayes
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.,NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Jiyoung Ahn
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA. .,NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, USA.
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24
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Al-Houqani M, Leinberger-Jabari A, Al Naeemi A, Al Junaibi A, Al Zaabi E, Oumeziane N, Kazim M, Al Maskari F, Al Dhaheri A, Abdel Wareth L, Al Mahmeed W, Alsafar H, Al Anouti F, Abdulle A, Inman CK, Al Hamiz A, Haji M, Ahn J, Kirchhoff T, Hayes RB, Ramasamy R, Schmidt AM, El Shahawy O, Weitzman M, Ali R, Sherman S. Patterns of tobacco use in the United Arab Emirates Healthy Future (UAEHFS) pilot study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198119. [PMID: 29847569 PMCID: PMC5976156 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Self-reported tobacco use in the United Arab Emirates is among the highest in the region. Use of tobacco products other than cigarettes is widespread, but little is known about specific behavior use patterns. There have been no studies that have biochemically verified smoking status. METHODS The UAE Healthy Future Study (UAEHFS) seeks to understand the causes of non-communicable diseases through a 20,000-person cohort study. During the study pilot, 517 Emirati nationals were recruited to complete a questionnaire, provide clinical measurements and biological samples. Complete smoking data were available for 428 participants. Validation of smoking status via cotinine testing was conducted based on complete questionnaire data and matching urine samples for 399 participants, using a cut-off of 200ng/ml to indicate active smoking status. RESULTS Self-reported tobacco use was 36% among men and 3% among women in the sample. However, biochemical verification of smoking status revealed that 42% men and 9% of women were positive for cotinine indicating possible recent tobacco use. Dual and poly-use of tobacco products was fairly common with 32% and 6% of the sample reporting respectively. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study in the region to biochemically verify tobacco use self-report data. Tobacco use in this study population was found to be higher than previously thought, especially among women. Misclassification of smoking status was more common than expected. Poly-tobacco use was also very common. Additional studies are needed to understand tobacco use behaviors and the extent to which people may be exposed to passive tobacco smoke. IMPLICATIONS This study is the first in the region to biochemically verify self-reported smoking status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Houqani
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | | | - Eiman Al Zaabi
- Department of Pathology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naima Oumeziane
- Department of Pathology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Marina Kazim
- Department of Pathology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatima Al Maskari
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayesha Al Dhaheri
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leila Abdel Wareth
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wael Al Mahmeed
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdishakur Abdulle
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Claire K. Inman
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Aisha Al Hamiz
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muna Haji
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jiyoung Ahn
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Permutter Cancer Center, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Tomas Kirchhoff
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Richard B. Hayes
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Permutter Cancer Center, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ravichandran Ramasamy
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ann Marie Schmidt
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Omar El Shahawy
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael Weitzman
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Raghib Ali
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Scott Sherman
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
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25
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Abdulle A, Alnaeemi A, Aljunaibi A, Al Ali A, Al Saedi K, Al Zaabi E, Oumeziane N, Al Bastaki M, Al-Houqani M, Al Maskari F, Al Dhaheri A, Shah SM, Loney T, El-Sadig M, Oulhaj A, Wareth LA, Al Mahmeed W, Alsafar H, Hirsch B, Al Anouti F, Yaaqoub J, Inman CK, Al Hamiz A, Al Hosani A, Haji M, Alsharid T, Al Zaabi T, Al Maisary F, Galani D, Sprosen T, El Shahawy O, Ahn J, Kirchhoff T, Ramasamy R, Schmidt AM, Hayes R, Sherman S, Ali R. The UAE healthy future study: a pilot for a prospective cohort study of 20,000 United Arab Emirates nationals. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:101. [PMID: 29304844 PMCID: PMC5755402 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-5012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is faced with a rapidly increasing burden of non-communicable diseases including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The UAE Healthy Future study is a prospective cohort designed to identify associations between risk factors and these diseases amongst Emiratis. The study will enroll 20,000 UAE nationals aged ≥18 years. Environmental and genetic risk factors will be characterized and participants will be followed for future disease events. As this was the first time a prospective cohort study was being planned in the UAE, a pilot study was conducted in 2015 with the primary aim of establishing the feasibility of conducting the study. Other objectives were to evaluate the implementation of the main study protocols, and to build adequate capacity to conduct advanced clinical laboratory analyses. Methods Seven hundred sixty nine UAE nationals aged ≥18 years were invited to participate voluntarily in the pilot study. Participants signed an informed consent, completed a detailed questionnaire, provided random blood, urine, and mouthwash samples and were assessed for a series of clinical measures. All specimens were transported to the New York University Abu Dhabi laboratories where samples were processed and analyzed for routine chemistry and hematology. Plasma, serum, and a small whole blood sample for DNA extraction were aliquoted and stored at −80 °C for future analyses. Results Overall, 517 Emirati men and women agreed to participate (68% response rate). Of the total participants, 495 (95.0%), 430 (82.2%), and 492 (94.4%), completed the questionnaire, physical measurements, and provided biological samples, respectively. Conclusions The pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of recruitment and completion of the study protocols for the first large-scale cohort study designed to identify emerging risk factors for the major non-communicable diseases in the region. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-017-5012-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Eiman Al Zaabi
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naima Oumeziane
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | | | | | - Syed M Shah
- UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tom Loney
- UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | | | | | - Habiba Alsafar
- Khalifa University of Science Technology & Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Benjamin Hirsch
- Khalifa University of Science Technology & Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Jamila Yaaqoub
- Abu Dhabi Police Medical Services, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Claire K Inman
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Aisha Al Hamiz
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Muna Haji
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Teeb Alsharid
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Thekra Al Zaabi
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Divya Galani
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Jiyoung Ahn
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Richard Hayes
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott Sherman
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Raghib Ali
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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26
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Safar HA, Chehadeh SEH, Abdel-Wareth L, Haq A, Jelinek HF, ElGhazali G, Anouti FA. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms among Emirati patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 175:119-124. [PMID: 28323045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
At a prevalence rate close to 19.5%, the UAE has one of the highest rates of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the world. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have led to the identification of several genetic variants that are associated with T2DM. Recently, genes involved in vitamin D metabolism have gained interest because of the association between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and increased risk for T2DM. Among these, the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is a good candidate for T2DM susceptibility. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between VDR polymorphisms and T2DM among a representative sample of the Emirati population. In this cross sectional study, two hundred and sixty four patients with T2DM and ninety-one healthy controls were enrolled. The study population was genotyped for the three VDR gene mutations, TaqI (rs731236), FokI (rs2228570) and BsmI (rs1544410). VDR alleles and haplotypes were compared between patients and their healthy controls. The mean age of the T2DM cohort was 60±11.59years and 48.21±12.17years for the healthy controls. The G-allele and GG genotype of rs2228570 and T-allele and TT genotype of rs1544410 SNPs were associated with T2DM. In regards to T2DM-related metabolic complications, the AG and GG genotypes of rs731236 were significantly associated with higher total cholesterol (p=0.011) and LDL-cholesterol (p=0.009) levels in the patients with T2DM. In contrast, the CT genotype of rs1544410 was significantly associated with lower BMI (p=0.031) and the TT genotype was associated with lower LDL-cholesterol level (p=0.007). The frequency of AAT and GGC haplotypes was also different between groups (p=0.014; p=0.032, respectively), implying that these haplotypes of the VDR gene are associated with the susceptibility to T2DM in the Emirati population. To conclude, an association between SNPs in the VDR gene (except for rs731236) and T2DM per se was demonstrated. The rs731236 variant was shown to be associated with high cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in T2DM patients, while rs1544410 was associated with lower BMI and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Our results imply that alleles and haploypes of the VDR gene are associated with the susceptibility to T2DM in the Emirati population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habiba Al Safar
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Khalifa University Center of Biotechnology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Laila Abdel-Wareth
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Afrozul Haq
- VPS Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Herbert F Jelinek
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney and School of Community Health, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia
| | - Gehad ElGhazali
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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27
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Haq A, Svobodová J, Sofi NY, Jindrová A, Kába B, Rajah J, Al Anouti F, Abdel-Wareth L, Wimalawansa SJ, Razzaque MS. Vitamin D status among the juvenile population: A retrospective study. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 175:49-54. [PMID: 28108200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is a clinical problem and recently we have shown that 82.5% of our entire study cohort had inadequate serum 25(OH)D levels. In this study, we analysed serum 25(OH)D levels of juvenile patients admitted to the Burjeel Hospital of VPS Health care in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 2012 to September 2014. Out of a total of 7883 juvenile patients considered in this study, almost 58.1% of females and 43.3% of males in the age group of 1-18 years were found to have low serum 25(OH)D levels (<50nmol/L). According to the coefficient of variation, females had significantly higher variability among juveniles (63.8%) than males (49.9%). Among the juveniles group of patients, age appears to be an important determining factor for defining vitamin D deficiency.The risk of deficiency (<30nmol/L) was found to be present in 31.4% of patients in the age group of 10-12 years, followed by 50.4% of patients in the age group of 13-15 years and 52.9% of patients in the age group of 16-18 years. The analysed age groups of females were found to have lower levels of 25(OH)D than males. It is important and perhaps alarming to note that such high rate of vitamin D deficiency is present in the juvenile age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afrozul Haq
- Research and Development, Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Jitka Svobodová
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czechia
| | - Nighat Y Sofi
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India; Banasthali University, Rajasthan, India
| | - Andrea Jindrová
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czechia
| | - Bohumil Kába
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czechia
| | - Jaishen Rajah
- Institute of Pediatrics, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Laila Abdel-Wareth
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Mohammed S Razzaque
- Department of Oral Health Policy & Epidemiology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Haq A, Wimalawansa SJ, Pludowski P, Anouti FA. Clinical practice guidelines for vitamin D in the United Arab Emirates. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 175:4-11. [PMID: 27693095 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In the UAE and the Gulf region in general, there are several intricate public health issues in the context of vitamin D deficiency that needs to be addressed. Changes in lifestyle such as diet, lack of exercise, cultural habits, avoiding sun exposure due to excessive heat, and other risk factors predispose those who live in GULF countries, such as Emiratis likely to becoming vitamin D deficient. Consequently, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high, and new guidelines are needed to overcome this major public health issue. Peer-reviewed papers related to guidelines and those vitamin D-related papers relevant to the Middle-Eastern region were extracted from multiple research databases using key words according to the general guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Analysis. This guideline was prepared focusing on the United Arab Emirate and the Gulf populations, to overcome the high incidence of vitamin D deficiency and to improve overall health. We recommend the following vitamin D supplementations for different groups of people: (A) Breastfed infants supplement with 400 IU/day up to age 6 months, and 400-600 IU/day between 6 and 12 months, depending on daily intake of total vitamin D and sun exposure; (B) for children and adolescents of age 1-18 years supplement with 600-1000 IU/day depending on the body weight; (C) adults greater than 18 years', supplementation with 1000-2000 IU/day is recommended, while, (D) the elderly (over 65 years) should be supplemented with 2000 IU/day, throughout the year; (E) pregnant and breast feed women, 2000 IU/day from the first trimester of pregnancy. (F) Premature infants, supplementation of 400-800 IU/daystart from the first days of life. (G) For obese, individuals and those with metabolic syndrome, supplementation of 2000 IU/day (H) For individuals with dark skin complexions and for night workers, supplementation of 1000-2000 IU/day (25-50μg/day), throughout the year, depending on body weight. The goal of supplementation is to achieve and longer term maintenance of serum 25(OH)D concentration of 30-50ng/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afrozul Haq
- Research & Development, VPS Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | | | - Pawel Pludowski
- Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology & Experimental Medicine, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- Natural Science & Public Health, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Inman CK, Aljunaibi A, Koh H, Abdulle A, Ali R, Alnaeemi A, Al Zaabi E, Oumeziane N, Al Bastaki M, Al-Houqani M, Al-Maskari F, Al Dhaheri A, Shah SM, Abdel Wareth L, Al Mahmeed W, Alsafar H, Al Anouti F, Al Hosani A, Haji M, Galani D, O'Connor MJ, Ahn J, Kirchhoff T, Sherman S, Hayes RB, Li H, Ramasamy R, Schmidt AM. The AGE-RAGE axis in an Arab population: The United Arab Emirates Healthy Futures (UAEHFS) pilot study. J Clin Transl Endocrinol 2017; 10:1-8. [PMID: 29204365 PMCID: PMC5691216 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcte.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The transformation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from a semi-nomadic to a high income society has been accompanied by increasing rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. We examined if the AGE-RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation endproducts) axis is associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus in the pilot phase of the UAE Healthy Futures Study (UAEHFS). METHODS 517 Emirati subjects were enrolled and plasma/serum levels of AGE, carboxy methyl lysine (CML)-AGE, soluble (s)RAGE and endogenous secretory (es)RAGE were measured along with weight, height, waist and hip circumference (WC/HC), blood pressure, HbA1c, Vitamin D levels and routine chemistries. The relationship between the AGE-RAGE axis and obesity and diabetes mellitus was tested using proportional odds models and linear regression. RESULTS After covariate adjustment, AGE levels were significantly associated with diabetes status. Levels of sRAGE and esRAGE were associated with BMI and levels of sRAGE were associated with WC/HC. CONCLUSIONS The AGE-RAGE axis is associated with diabetes status and obesity in this Arab population. Prospective serial analysis of this axis may identify predictive biomarkers of obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction in the UAEHFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire K. Inman
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdullah Aljunaibi
- Department of Pediatrics, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hyunwook Koh
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Abdishakur Abdulle
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raghib Ali
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdullah Alnaeemi
- Department of Cardiology, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eiman Al Zaabi
- Department of Pathology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | - Mohammed Al-Houqani
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatma Al-Maskari
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayesha Al Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition, College of Architecture, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Syed M. Shah
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Laila Abdel Wareth
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wael Al Mahmeed
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayesha Al Hosani
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muna Haji
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Divya Galani
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Jiyoung Ahn
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tomas Kirchhoff
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott Sherman
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard B. Hayes
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huilin Li
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ravichandran Ramasamy
- Diabetes Research Program, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ann Marie Schmidt
- Diabetes Research Program, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Osman E, Al Anouti F, El Ghazali G, Haq A, Mirgani R, Al Safar H. Frequency of rs731236 (Taql), rs2228570 (Fok1) of Vitamin-D Receptor (VDR) gene in Emirati healthy population. Meta Gene 2015; 6:49-52. [PMID: 26504744 PMCID: PMC4576359 DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is getting more attention everyday due to its importance in maintaining bone and calcium homeostasis, cellular proliferation, differentiation and immune response. Vitamin D is derived from diet or elicited in the skin by the activation of 7-dehydrocholesterol, which is an inert molecule that must be activated by ultraviolet light to form pre-vitamin D3. Recent studies connected the gene encoding for vitamin D (VDR) to the genetic control of bone mass and other diseases. As VDR SNPs have been associated with several disorders and diseases, it's important to investigate the allelic and genotypic distribution among populations. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of rs731236 (Taq1) and rs2228570 (Fok1) variants in healthy Emirati individuals and compare their genotype and allele distribution with other populations. In this study 282 (female, 187; male, 95) unrelated healthy UAE nationals were involved. Two hundreds and eight two DNA samples been collected to genotype rs731236 (Taq1) and rs2228570 (Fok1) VDR SNPs. Our results indicate that the distribution of the alleles and genotypes of rs731236 (Taq1) and rs2228570 (Fok1) vary considerably in different populations. In the Emirati population the distribution of rs731236 (Taq1) and rs2228570 (Fok1) were AA 38%, AG 42%, GG 20% and AA 27%, AG 42%, GG 31% respectively. The Emirati population genotype and allele distribution of rs731236 (Taq1) and rs2228570 (Fok1) had no difference with Caucasians from USA and France. However, there was significant difference with Asian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enas Osman
- Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, Biomedical Department, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Gehad El Ghazali
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Afrozul Haq
- VPS Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rajaa Mirgani
- Fatima College for Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Al Safar
- Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, Biomedical Department, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ; Khalifa University Center of Biotechnology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Thomas J, Anouti FA, Hasani SA, Abdel-Wareth L, Haq A. Sunshine, Sadness and Seasonality: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, and Depressive Symptoms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/14623730.2011.9715647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Al Anouti F, Thomas J, Abdel-Wareth L, Rajah J, Grant WB, Haq A. Vitamin D deficiency and sun avoidance among university students at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dermatoendocrinol 2011; 3:235-9. [PMID: 22259650 DOI: 10.4161/derm.3.4.16881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2010] [Revised: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This study offers evidence that vitamin D deficiency could be a major public health burden among young Emirati adults, mostly because of sun deprivation in a sun-blessed country. This study included a random sample of 138 females and 70 males tested for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status. To further evaluate the predictors of vitamin D status in this population, the study examined diet, obesity and sun exposure. In summer, the mean serum 25(OH)D concentration for females was 20.9 ± 14.9 nmol/L, whereas that for males was 27.3 ± 15.7 nmol/L. Females scored significantly higher than males on the sun avoidance inventory (SAI), indicating that females avoid sun exposure to a greater extent than males, possibly explaining the lower vitamin D status. A significant negative correlation also existed between SAI and vitamin D status (Pearson's r = -0.33; p < 0.01), but no significant association was evident between vitamin D status and body mass index (Pearson's r = 0.03; p = 0.33) or low dietary intake of vitamin D-fortified foods (Pearson's r = 0.08; p = 0.13). The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration for females tested in winter was 31.3 ± 12.3 nmol/L while in the summer, it was 20.9 ± 14.9 nmol/L. This difference was statistically significant, suggesting that seasonal variation plays an important role in vitamin D status in the United Arab Emirates. Fortification of foods and drinks with vitamin D, supplementation and sensible sun exposure are important steps toward minimizing vitamin D deficiency.
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