Background: Myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Oxidative stress plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis leading to myocardial infarction and Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) act as detoxifying enzymes to reduce oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of the GST (T1 & M1) gene polymorphism with the susceptibility of myocardial infarction in the Bangladeshi population. Methods: A case-control study on 100 cardiac patients with MI and 150 control subjects was conducted. The genotyping of GST (T1 & M1) gene was done using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: The percentage of GSTM1 genotypes was significantly (p< 0.01) lower in patients compared to control subjects while the GSTT1 genotypes were not significantly different between the study subjects. The individual with GSTM1 null allele was at 2.5-fold increased risk {odds ratio (OR)= 2.5; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI)= 1.4 to 4.3; p< 0.01} of experiencing MI while individual with either GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotypes was at lower risk. In the case of GST M1 and GST T1 combined genotype, patients having both null genotypes for GST M1 and GST T1 gene showed significantly (p< 0.01) higher risk of experiencing MI when compared to control subjects (OR= 3.5; 95% CI= 1.7-7.2; p< 0.001). Conclusions: Thus our recent study suggested that GSTM1 alone and GSTM1 and T1 in combination augments the risk of MI in Bangladeshi population.

Intermittent fasting (IF) has two broad types: wet (with water) and dry (without water) fasting. Studies suggest that both are effective for reducing weight and for promoting overall metabolic well-being; however, their relative efficacy is not yet established. The study was a 9-day cross-over clinical trial with the purpose to compare the effectiveness of wet and dry fasting. Adult overweight women (n = 18) from Dhaka, Bangladesh were recruited as subjects of this study. It included 3 days of wet IF and 3 days of dry IF (14 h fasting and 50% calorie restriction), with a 3-day washout period (ad libitum intake) in between. Both types of IF resulted in significant weight loss. The loss was significantly higher after 3 days of dry IF (−0.23 ± 0.02 kg; P < 0.05). Waist circumference and BMI were significantly reduced in both interventions (P <0.05) and diastolic pressure changed significantly after dry fasting (P <0.05). None of the biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, atherogenic coefficient, and fasting plasma glucose) changed significantly within or between interventions. The intervention compliance percentage was high for both, with no significant difference. The study findings suggest that both wet and dry IF were effective for weight loss but dry IF was more effective. The biochemical parameters did not change significantly in short term and so longer trials are needed. [Trial registration number: UMIN000041481] Bioresearch Commu. 8(1): 1053-1060, 2022 (January)

This article describes the antioxidant capacity (AC) and total phenol content (TPC) of selected ethnic plant foods and their therapeutic uses in alleviating experimental stress-induced depression in rat model. Antioxidant capacity was determined by radical scavenging activity and TPC was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteau method. Depression was induced by chemical stressor- reserpine. Alleviation of depression by the ethnic foods was evaluated by behavioral changes in Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST), and by analysis of oxidative stress marker Malondialdehyde (MDA), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and change of weight of adrenal gland and brain. Antioxidant capacity was determined by IC50 value, which was ranged from 74.814 µg/ml to 411.895 µg/ml. The lowest IC50 value indicates the strongest antioxidant activity. Hence, the strongest AC was found in Gondhovatali followed by Sabarang and Titbegun. TPC ranged from 85.5 ± 5.51 to 650 ± 2.75 mgGAE/100g. Jaamalu was found to have the highest TPC value followed by Gondhovatali, Titbegun and Khudemanik. The difference among experimental and control groups was found to be significant in the weight of adrenal gland and brain. Biochemical stress indicators (MDA, FBG) and behavioral tests (TST, FST) showed significant differences among plant extract fed groups compared to that of depressed control group, but was found to be almost similar to antidepressant clomipramine treated and baseline control groups. The data indicated that the selected ethnic plant foods containing higher TPC and lower IC50 values significantly alleviated depression symptoms in the rats.