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This study investigated the differences and associations between serum levels of angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL)3, ANGPTL4, and ANGPTL8 in Saudi adolescents with varying levels of obesity and glycemia before and after undergoing a 12-month lifestyle change intervention. A total of 218 Saudi adolescents (45 normal, 77 overweight, and 96 obese) (mean age = 15.1 ± 1.5 years; mean BMI = 35.1 ± 6.6 kg/m2) were included. Anthropometrics were measured at baseline and follow-up. Overnight-fasting serum samples were also collected at baseline and after 12 months of intervention for routine analysis of fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile. Serum levels of insulin and ANGPTLs were assessed using commercial assays. At baseline, obese children had a higher ANGPTL8 level [0.7 ng/ml (0.4–1.3), p = 0.03]. In children with prediabetes (defined as those with HbA1c > 5.7), ANGPTL8 levels and HbA1c were significantly lower post-intervention [0.2 (0.1–0.8), p = 0.002; 5.5 ± 1.1), p

Objective: To compare and define the associations of circulating trace minerals with vitamin D among Arab adults with either vitamin D deficiency or optimum vitamin D levels. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 199 (101 males and 98 females) adult Saudi participants aged 47.7 ± 15.6 years divided into two groups [N = 120 with vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D

Objective: Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by bone mass reduction with a prevalence of approximately 34–48% in Saudi Arabia. Many risk factors can increase osteoporosis fracture, including low vitamin K levels. However, its exact role on bone mineral density (BMD) remains under investigated. This study aims to determine whether dietary vitamin K is associated with BMD, inflammation, undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and other bone markers among adult Saudi females. Methods: A total of 138 Saudi females aged 25 and above were recruited from different primary health care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and were divided according to BMD status (N = 53 normal; N = 85 low BMD). Each participant completed a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometrics were measured and serum 25(OH)D and vitamin K, bone markers (ucOC and CTX) and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) were assessed using assays. Results: Low dietary vitamin K intakes were observed in both groups, ranging only 16–19 µg/day. A positive association was seen between dietary vitamin K and IL-6 in low BMD group and TNF-α in all participants. No significant association was seen between dietary vitamin K and BMD. Conclusion: Dietary vitamin K is significantly associated with inflammation and not BMD in adult Saudi females. The alarmingly low dietary vitamin K intake is worth investigating further.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between vitamin D [25(OH)D] status and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in Saudi adults to determine the optimum 25(OH)D cut-off in the Saudi adult population. A total of 1093 apparently healthy Saudi subjects (720 women and 373 men) aged 50.7 ± 13.9 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum 25(OH)D, PTH, calcium and albumin levels were determined. The over-all prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (

Background: Asprosin, a novel adipokine, has been implicated in glucose regulation, insulin production, and appetite stimulation. Hence, the current study explores circulating asprosin levels and their associations with insulin resistance (IR) and other parameters in obese and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Saudi subjects. Methods: A total of N = 291 (89 control, 105 T2DM/obese and 97 obese) subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. Fasting glucose and lipid profiles were measured routinely. Adiponectin, leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, and asprosin were measured using commercially available assays. Results: Serum asprosin levels were found to be significantly highest in obese subjects [3.7 ng/ml (2.6–5.0)] than T2DM/obese [0.1 ng/ml (0.0–0.4)] and controls [0.2 ng/ml (0.1–0.3)] (p

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major health problem in the Saudi Arabian population. The aim of this study was to determine the status of antioxidant enzymes, liver enzymes, and intake of selected nutrients in subjects with MetS among Saudi adults in Taif city. Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 104 subjects (76 with MetS and 28 controls) were recruited. Demographic data was obtained from the participants. Evaluation of anthropometric variables, glucose, lipid profiles, antioxidant enzymes and liver profile were performed. Dietary intake was evaluated through FFQ. Results: A positive correlation was observed between protein intake and alanine transaminase (ALT) among subjects with MetS (R = 0.33; p

Objective: Compelling evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that the disruption of circadian rhythm and decreased melatonin synthesis are risk factors for breast cancer. With the ever-increasing rate of breast cancer cases globally, there is a strong need for safer, effective, and alternate treatment strategies with lesser side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin and vitamin D3 on the gene expression of two apoptotic factors, BCL-2 and Bax, in the MCF-7 cancer cell line. Methods: Cell viability (MCF-7) was studied through MTT reduction assay in response to melatonin (1 nM, 5 nM and 10 nM) and vitamin D3 (0.5 nM, 1 nM and 10 NM). The optimum dose of melatonin (5 nM) and vitamin D3 (0.5 nM) were selected for their combination and Bax/BCL-2 ratio determination. Changes on the expression of genes BCL-2 and Bax, were determined through mRNA expression while Western blot analysis was used to detect changes in the expression of BCL-2 and Bax at the protein level. Results: There was an upregulation of Bax gene expression and protein expression with the treatments of melatonin, vitamin D3, and their combination, with concomitant downregulation of Bcl-2 gene and protein expression. The Bax/BCL-2 ratio was increased significantly (p

Background: Iron deficiency and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency are among the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world. Osteoporosis, a major bone disorder, is prevalent globally as well as in Saudi Arabia. The relationship between these micronutrient deficiencies with osteoporosis is less investigated. Hence, the current study aimed to determine the relationship between iron and 25(OH)D deficiencies among postmenopausal Saudi women with osteoporosis and their associations with bone biomarkers. Methodology: A total of 184 postmenopausal Saudi women ≥ 45 years old [N = 75 osteoporosis group; N = 109 without osteoporosis or control group] were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics and bone mineral density were measured. Serum iron indices, 25(OH)D and bone biomarkers [β-carboxyterminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β-crosslap), osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin (OPN) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BsALP) were determined. Results: In all subjects, significant associations were observed between serum iron and OC (r = 0.19; p = 0.02) as well as OPN (r = 0.17; p = 0.05). Also, serum 25(OH)D was inversely associated with BsALP (r = −0.25; p = 0.02), and positively with β-crosslap (r = 0.38; p = 0.01). An inverse significant association was observed between 25(OH)D and OPG (r = −0.25; p = 0.01) in the control group and BsALP (r = −0.31; p = 0.02) in the osteoporosis group. Conclusion: Significant associations between circulating iron and 25(OH)D with select bone biomarkers were observed in postmenopausal Arab women with osteoporosis, suggesting that these micronutrients may affect bone metabolism.

Objectives: Measures to control the on-going COVID-19 pandemic such as quarantine and social distancing, together with information overload about the sporadic spread of the disease have negatively impacted many individuals’ mental and psychosocial health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-reported mental health parameters and the coping mechanisms of employees and students in a Saudi State University. Methods: An online survey in both Arabic and English was launched targeting students, staff and faculty of King Saud University from May 11 to June 6, 2020, the peak of Saudi Arabia’s nationwide lockdown. A total of 1542 respondents (726 males and 816 females) aged 20–65 years old participated. Results: Majority of the respondents claimed to have suffered from anxiety (58.1%), depression (50.2%) and insomnia (32.2%) during the lockdown. On average, 65.3% respondents agreed that family bond strengthened during lockdown. Those in the highest quartile of family bonding score (Q4) were 41% [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.59 (0.39–0.87), p