Medical Bulletin 4/January/2024

Here are the top medical news of the day:

A tidy cell seems to keep aging at bay

Just as healthy organs are vital to our well-being, healthy organelles are vital to the proper functioning of the cell. These subcellular structures carry out specific jobs within the cell, for example, mitochondria power the cell and lysosomes keep the cell tidy.

Although damage to these two organelles has been linked to aging, cellular senescence, and many diseases, the regulation and maintenance of these organelles has remained poorly understood. Now, researchers at Osaka University have identified a protein, HKDC1, that plays a key role in maintaining these two organelles, thereby acting to prevent cellular aging.

Reference: A tidy cell seems to keep aging at bay; JOURNAL: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, DOI:10.1073/pnas.2306454120

Higher Omega-3 levels intake may lower risk of total and ischemic stroke

A 2021 global study revealed that 1 in 4 adults will experience a stroke in their lifetime, making it the second-leading cause of death and third-leading cause of death and disability combined. Traditionally, diets low in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol (high-fibre diets) are the nutritional-based approach to preventing these conditions. Marine omega-3 PUFAs have also shown potential in preventing CVD.

According to a recent study published in STROKE, Higher omega-3 levels are linked to a lower risk of total and ischemic stroke; there is no association with hemorrhagic stroke.

Reference: O’Keefe et al. Omega-3 blood levels and stroke risk: A pooled and harmonized analysis of 183 291 participants from 29 prospective studies. Stroke, 55(1), 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1161/strokeaha.123.044281

Neck circumference may be effective indicator of gestational diabetes

Neck circumference may be effective clinical screening and prediction indicator of gestational diabetes suggests study published in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity.

The objective of this study was to explore whether neck circumference can serve as an early predictor of the risk of Gestational Diabetes (GDM).

Reference: Li X, Bai L, Niu Z, Lu Q. Correlation Between Neck Circumference and Gestational Diabetes. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2023;16:4179-4185, https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S439413