Obesity is characterized by the excessive deposition of fat that may interfere with the normal metabolic process of the body. It is a chronic condition associated with various metabolic syndromes, whose prevalence is grossly increasing, and affects both children and adults. Accumulation of excessive macronutrients on the adipose tissues promotes the secretion and release of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β, tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α), leptin, and stimulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which subsequently reduce the production of adiponectin thereby initiating a proinflammatory state. During obesity, adipose tissue synthesizes and releases a large number of hormones and cytokines that alter the metabolic processes, with a profound influence on endothelial dysfunction, a situation associated with the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Endothelial cells respond to inflammation and stimulation of MCP-1, which is described as the activation of adhesion molecules leading to proliferation and transmigration of leukocytes, which facilitates their increase in atherogenic and thromboembolic potentials. Endothelial dysfunction forms the cornerstone of this discussion, as it has been considered as the initiator in the progression of cardiovascular diseases in obesity. Overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines with subsequent reduction of anti-inflammatory markers in obesity, is considered to be the link between obesity-induced inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Inhibition of inflammatory mechanisms and management and control of obesity can assist in reducing the risks associated with cardiovascular complications.

Background: Defective synthesis of the α-globin chain due to mutations in the alpha-globin genes and/or its regulatory elements leads to alpha thalassaemia syndrome. Complete deletion of the 4 alpha-globin genes results in the most severe phenotype known as haemoglobin Bart's, which leads to intrauterine death. The presence of one functional alpha gene is associated with haemoglobin H disease, characterised by non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia phenotype, while silent and carrier traits are mostly asymptomatic.Main body: Clinical manifestations of non-deletional in alpha thalassaemia are varied and have more severe phenotype compared to deletional forms of alpha thalassaemia. Literature for the molecular mechanisms of common non-deletional alpha thalassaemia including therapeutic measures that are necessarily needed for the understanding of these disorders is still in demand. This manuscript would contribute to the better knowledge of how defective production of the α-globin chains due to mutations on the alpha-globin genes and/or the regulatory elements leads to alpha thalassaemia syndrome. Conclusion:Since many molecular markers are associated with the globin gene expression and switching over during the developmental stages, there is a need for increased awareness, new-born and prenatal screening program, especially for countries with high migration impact, and for improving the monitoring of patients with αthalassaemia.

Obesity has been considered as a great public health concern, that has spread in both economic and poor resources countries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Elateriospermum tapos supplementation on the male offspring of female obesity-induced Sprague Dawley (SD) rats at weaning and adult age. A total of thirty (30) female and fifteen (15) male Sprague Dawley rats (N=45) were purchased for this study. Of the 30 female rats, six (n=6) were randomly selected as the control group (CG) and fed separately with male on standard chow diet, while the remaining rats (n=24) were fed on a high-fat diet for 5 weeks. The obese group were further randomly divided into 4 groups, positive control group (PG), orlistat treatment (DG) at 200 mg/kg, treatment 1 (TX1, 200 mg/kg E. tapos seed) and treatment 2 (TX2, 200 mg/kg E. tapos shell) for 6 weeks. One male pup from each dam was culled at weaning (postnatal day 21 (PND21)) and adulthood (12 weeks). The liver, kidney, retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RpWAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) were collected for histopathological study. Serum lipid profiles, liver enzyme activities and creatinine were measured. The bodyweight of male offspring from treatment 1 (MTX1) and 2 (MTX2) was significantly lower (P<0.05) compare to MNG group. The RpWAT weight in MTX1 and MTX2 for adult offspring also were significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to MPG. The histopathological examination of liver in MCG, MDG, MTX1, and MTX2 showed normal hepatocytes while the MPG group showed the presence of ballooning cell and hypertrophy of adipocytes was also observed in MPG group compared to another group’s rat. The E. tapos extracts from the shell have greater therapeutic potential on maternal obesity in short and long term treatment.