The gut microbiota is responsible for recovering energy from food, providing hosts with vitamins, and providing a barrier function against exogenous pathogens. In addition, it is involved in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier, crucial for the functional maturation of the gut immune system. The Western diet (WD)—an unhealthy diet with high consumption of fats—can be broadly characterized by overeating, frequent snacking, and a prolonged postprandial state. The term WD is commonly known and intuitively understood. However, the strict digital expression of nutrient ratios is not precisely defined. Based on the US data for 1908–1989, the calory intake available from fats increased from 32% to 45%. Besides the metabolic aspects (hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system overstimulation, and oxidative stress), the consequences of excessive fat consumption (high-fat diet—HFD) comprise dysbiosis, gut barrier dysfunction, increased intestinal permeability, and leakage of toxic bacterial metabolites into the circulation. These can strongly contribute to the development of low-grade systemic inflammation. This narrative review highlights the most important recent advances linking HFD-driven dysbiosis and HFD-related inflammation, presents the pathomechanisms for these phenomena, and examines the possible causative relationship between pro-inflammatory status and gut microbiota changes.

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Objectives: Different forms of anemia are considered as the most frequent complication of the gestational period. By its etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical hematology, it is not a single disease. Among all forms of anemia occurring during pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common, accounting for 80-95% of all cases. Design: The article describes a theoretical basis for the diagnosis of the anemic syndrome among pregnant women, the determining factors of its development, and the diagnostic methods at different gestational periods. Participants/Materials, Setting, and Methods: Diagnostic and prognostic values of iron balance indicators in the body were established for IDA during pregnancy to improve the outcome of childbirth. A total of 140 anemic patients were examined. The control group consisted of 50 pregnant women without anemia and other significant health problems, 48 IDA pregnant women, and 42 pregnant women with anemia caused by various chronic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. All patients of the main and control groups were registered on clinical records at the Family Planning Center in Aktobe city, Kazakhstan. Results: Ferrokinetic indicators were suggested for diagnosing IDA and anemia of chronic diseases. It was established that IDA is characterized by low ferritin levels during gestation, while increased ferritin and C-reactive protein are typical for anemia of chronic diseases. Limitations: Differential diagnostics was applied for pregnant women with IDA and anemia of chronic diseases to observe the dynamics of serum ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at different gestational periods. The article presents the results of a study on ferrokinetics in pregnant women with IDA and anemia caused by inflammation or chronic diseases. Other causes of anemia leading to a decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) levels to <90 g/L include hemoglobinopathies, which were not considered in this study. Conclusions: Determination of iron deficiency in pregnant women at different gestational periods will allow for identifying the risk group of anemic patients and deciding on the treatment. IDA (Hb <100 g/L) can be effectively measured by ferritin level <15 ng/mL, iron level of <11.5 μmol/L, and transferrin level >2.6 mg/L at p < 0.001. Anemia due to chronic diseases (Hb <100 g/L) can be effectively diagnosed with ferritin above 15 μg/L and CRP above 10 mg/L at p < 0.001.

Objective: About 90% of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented. In recent years, the role of vitamin D in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and components of metabolic syndrome has been actively discussed. The study aimed to investigate the possible influence of vitamin D3 on the emergence risk of metabolic syndrome and adverse cardiovascular events. Materials and methods: The study enrolled a total of 336 people (170 males and 166 females) aged 50-60 years. For comparative analysis, two groups were formed: Group 1 group involved 150 people treated with placebo, and Group 2 group included 186 people who received vitamin D3 orally in a dose of 2000 IU/day. The duration of treatment and observation was four years. Participants in the study completed a questionnaire developed by the authors of this paper, in which they answered questions about the presence of factors contributing to the development of cardiovascular pathology. Results and Discussion: Daily oral intake of vitamin D3 in a dose of 2000 IU/day for four years did not improve laboratory indicators, which are components of MS, namely, the content in the blood of TC, TG, LDL, HDL, AI, fasting and postprandial glycemia, insulin, and insulin resistance index HOMA2-IR (p>0.05). Prolonged use of vitamin D3 did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarcts (RR=0.93, 95% CI [0.21-4.09], p=0.92), strokes (RR=1.24, 95% CI [0.18-8.70], p=0.83), stenting (RR=1,23, 95% CI [0.32-4.88], p=0.76), arterial hypertension (RR=1.12, 95% CI [0.47-2.68], p=0.81), as well as cardiovascular death rates (RR=0.83, 95% CI [0.14-4.88], p=0.83) and death from any other causes (RR=0.93, 95% CI [0.21- 4.09], p=0.92). Conclusion: Thus, daily prolonged oral administration of vitamin D3 in a dose of 2000 IU/day does not contribute to the improvement of blood lipid spectrum, glycemia, and insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome and does not reduce the risk of adverse (fatal and non-fatal) cardiovascular events. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(2) 2021 p.431-438