Alcoholic liver disease(ALD)remains one of the leading causes of liver injury and death when left un-treated.The gut microbiota has been recognized as a key regulator of a number of pathologies,including ALD.The role of mast cells(MCs)during liver disease progression has been demonstrated in a number of animal models and in human liver diseases.The interaction between the gut microbiota and MCs has been investigated,and links between the gut and these immune cells are being uncovered.The interplay between the gut microbiota and MCs during ALD has been evaluated and studies suggest that there could be an important link between MCs,their mediators and gut inflammation during the progression of ALD.

INTRODUCTION: Salba-chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a popular functional food containing high levels of protein, total dietary fiber, and is an excellent source of α-linolenic acid. Chia seeds significantly decreases weight, suppresses appetite, and has a potential benefit in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of chia seeds as an adjuvant treatment for T2DM. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials from 1990 onwards involving Type 2 diabetic patients given chia seed were included. PubMed, Cochrane, ClinicalKey, Google Scholar, and Hinari were searched systematically using MeSH terms “chia”, “Salvia hispanica”, “dietary supplement”, and “diabetes”. The quality of trials was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Data on the study design, blinding status, characteristics of participants, medications taken by participants, chia seed intervention, comparator, duration of intake, and interval of assessment were extracted. The percent change of outcome from baseline was compared between the chia and control groups. RESULTS: Four randomized trials with a total of 213 diabetic patients were enrolled in the treatment group using ground salba-chia or the control group using bran. The supplementation of chia resulted in a statistically significant decrease in fasting glucose (-2.90 mmol/L; 95% CI, -3.08, -2.72; p < 0.001), waist circumference (-2.49 cm; 95% CI -2.81, -2.17; p < 0.001), total cholesterol (-2.72 mmol/L; 95% CI -3.68, -1.74; p < 0.001), HDL (-3.69 mmol/L; 95% CI -3.95, -3.42; p < 0.001), LDL (-3.22 mmol/L; 95% CI -4.08, -2.36; p < 0.001); and an increase adiponectin levels (6.50 mg/L; 95% CI 6.25, 6.25; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Intake of chia seeds resulted in a statistically significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, waist circumference, total cholesterol levels, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, and increased adiponectin. Chia seeds are generally safer and have lesser side effects compared to the placebo. Chia is effective as adjunctive treatment for Type 2 diabetic patients.

Objective: The study aimed to determine if Blumea balsamifera inhibits calcium oxalate stone formation in the kidneys through determination of the number of calcium oxalate stones in the renal cortex and the percent mass of calcium oxalate. Methods: Post-test only control group design was used using five treatment groups with placebo as the negative control, potassium citrate as the positive control, and 50%, 100%, and 200% sambong treatment. Urolithiasis was induced through ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride. Each treatment group was administered its corresponding treatment solution once daily for twenty-one days. Histopathologic examination and kidney homogenate analysis were done to determine the degree of deposition of calcium oxalate stones in renal tissues and the oxalate content, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Gabriel's Pairwise Comparisons Test. Results: The 100% sambong treatment group showed the least mean number of stones while the positive control and 50% sambong treatment group exhibited the highest anti-urolithiatic activity in terms of oxalate content of the kidney homogenate. Conclusion It can be concluded from the study that Blumea balsamifera inhibits calcium oxalate stone formation in the kidneys with the 100% and 50% sambong treatment most effective in decreasing number of stones and oxalate content of the kidney homogenate, respectively.
Urolithiasis ; Kidney

OBJECTIVES

Blood glucose levels of the majority of Filipino patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remain uncontrolled. Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a fixed‑ratio coformulation of the long‑acting basal insulin degludec and the rapid acting prandial insulin aspart. The realworld ARISE (A Ryzodeg® Initiation and Switch Effectiveness) study investigated clinical outcomes across six countries in people with T2D who initiated IDegAsp. This publication presents the clinical outcomes of the Filipino cohort from a subgroup analysis of the ARISE study.

METHODOLOGY

This 26-week, openlabel, noninterventional study examined outcomes in adults with T2D initiating or switching to IDegAsp (N=185) from other antidiabetic treatments per local clinical guidance.

RESULTS

Compared with the baseline, there was a significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin at the end of the study (EOS) (estimated difference [ED] −1.4 [95% confidence interval −1.7, −1.1]; P < 0.0001). Fasting plasma glucose (ED −46.1 mg/dL [−58.2, −34.0]; P < 0.0001) and body weight (ED −1.0 kg [−2.0, −0.1]; P = 0.028) were significantly reduced at EOS compared with baseline. IDegAsp was associated with a decrease in the incidence of selfreported healthcare resource utilization. Adverse events were reported in eight (4.3%) participants.

CONCLUSION

Initiating or switching to IDegAsp was associated with improved glycemic control, lower body weight, and lower HRU for people with T2D in the Philippines. No new, unexpected AEs were reported.

Human ; Insulin Aspart ; Insulin Degludec ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2