Prevalence and risk factors of cognitive dysfunction in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Objectives: There is growing evidence for cognitive dysfunction in chronic hemodialysis patients as the age and the prevalence of comorbidities increase in this population. The aim of the present study was to assess cognitive performance in hemodialysis patients and determine the variables associated with poor cognitive function.

Methods: Cross-sectional cohort of 108 maintenance hemodialysis patients in the Marrakech area.

Effect of argan and olive oil consumption on the hormonal profile of androgens among healthy adult Moroccan men.

This study aimed to assess the effect of virgin argan oil (VAO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVO) on the hormonal profile of androgens and anthropometric parameters among healthy adult Moroccan men during a controlled nutritional intervention. The study was carried out on 60 young and healthy male volunteers aged between 23 and 40 years old. During a stabilization period of 2 weeks they consumed butter.

Argan Oil Exerts an Antiatherogenic Effect by Improving Lipids and Susceptibility of LDL to Oxidation in Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

In this study, we investigate the effect of argan oil consumption on serum lipids, apolipoproteins (AI and B), CRP, and LDL susceptibility to oxidation in type 2 diabetic patients which are known to have a high level of cardiovascular risk due to lipid abnormalities and lipid peroxidation. For that, 86 type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia were randomized to one group consuming 25 mL/day of argan oil during 3 weeks and control group consuming 20 g/day of butter in breakfast. After argan oil intervention, serum triglycerides decreased by 11.

Antiproliferative effect of polyphenols and sterols of virgin argan oil on human prostate cancer cell lines.

Background: The aim of our study has to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of polyphenols and sterols extracted from the virgin argan oil on three human prostatic cell lines (DU145, LNCaP, and PC3).

Methods: Cytotoxicity, anti-proliferative effects and nuclear morphological changes of cells were analyzed after treatment with sterols and polyphenols. The results were compared to 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME(2)) as positive control.

The management of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Morocco.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as a result of mutations that impair their removal from plasma.The clinical consequence is a high risk of premature cardiovascular disease. Because of the extreme risk of mortality and morbidity, diagnosis, recruitment and management of FH patients must be one of the priorities of public health.

Tocopherols and saponins derived from Argania spinosa exert, an antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of tocopherols obtained from alimentary virgin argan oil extracted from the endemic argan tree of Morocco and of saponins extracted from argan press cake on three human prostatic cell lines (DU145, LNCaP, and PC3). The results were compared to 2-methoxyestradiol as antiproliferative drug candidates. Cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effects were investigated after cells' treatment with tocopherols and saponins compared to 2-Methoxyoestradiol as the positive control.

Mutational heterogeneity in low-density lipoprotein receptor gene related to familial hypercholesterolemia in Morocco.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) genes. Until now, molecular data concerning FH in Morocco is still limited. To gain more information in this field and to assess the contribution of these three genes in the cause of FH determinism, we analyzed six unrelated Moroccan probands and twenty-five of their family's members.

Argan oil: which benefits on cardiovascular diseases?

Aim: The argan oil, extracted from argan-tree fruits, has been known for its various pharmacological properties and used as a natural remedy since several centuries. In this review, we present a summary of the results obtained from a survey of the literature on argan oil.

Data Synthesis: Various studies conducted in vitro or on human and animal models suggest that argan oil could play a beneficial role in cardiovascular diseases prevention and its consumption could protect against atherosclerosis and cancer via a variety of biological mechanisms.

Elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and biomarkers of matrix remodeling in never-treated patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited disorder of lipoprotein metabolism, whose origin involves mutations in the gene coding for the low-density lipoprotein receptor protein. Although FH is monogenic, wide variation occurs in the onset and severity of atherosclerosis in these patients.

Methods: Since data on levels of inflammatory proteins and/or active factors in FH patients who have never received lipid-lowering treatment are lacking, serum levels of MMP-3, active MMP-9 and TIMP-1 as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-18) were determined in never-treated homozygous FH Moroccan patients (n=4) and compared to those of heterozygous FH subjects (n=7) and of healthy control subjects (n=5).

Consumption of argan oil may have an antiatherogenic effect by improving paraoxonase activities and antioxidant status: Intervention study in healthy men.

Background And Aim: Due to its high antioxidant and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid content virgin argan oil (VAO) could play a beneficial role in cardiovascular prevention. We were therefore interested in determining whether the consumption of VAO could improve plasma paraoxonase (PON1) activities and antioxidant status in healthy men.

Methods And Results: Sixty young men were included in this interventional study.

Nutritional intervention study with argan oil in man: effects on lipids and apolipoproteins.

Aim: To evaluate whether the consumption of virgin argan oil (VAO) is associated with a change in serum lipids and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy Moroccans.

Methods: Sixty volunteers consumed butter (25 g/day) during 2 weeks (stabilization period) and were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group received 25 g/day of VAO during 3 weeks (intervention period), and the control group received 25 g/day of extra virgin olive oil (EVO). Throughout the study, weight, blood pressure, and daily food intake were measured.

Evidence of hypolipemiant and antioxidant properties of argan oil derived from the argan tree (Argania spinosa).

Background: Virgin argan oil is of interest in cardiovascular risk prevention due to its fat composition and antioxidant compounds.

Aims: We investigated with Moroccan subjects the effect of regular virgin argan oil consumption on lipid profile and antioxidant status and the in vitro effect of argan oil minor compounds (tocopherols, sterols and polyphenols) on LDL peroxidation.

Design: Healthy subjects (20 men, 76 women) were studied.

Familial hypercholesterolemia in Morocco: first report of mutations in the LDL receptor gene.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder mainly caused by defects in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene, although it can also be due to alterations in the gene encoding apolipoprotein B (familial defective apoB or FDB) or in other unidentified genes. In Morocco, the molecular basis of FH is unknown. To obtain information on this issue, 27 patients with FH from eight unrelated families were analyzed by screening the LDLR (PCR-SSCP and Southern blot) and apoB genes (PCR and restriction enzyme digestion analysis).

Probucol promotes reverse cholesterol transport in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Effects on apolipoprotein AI-containing lipoprotein particles.

In order to investigate the effect of Probucol therapy on reverse cholesterol transport, apo AI-containing lipoprotein particles were isolated and characterized, and their cholesterol effluxing capacity and LCAT activity were assayed in four familial hypercholesterolemia patients before and after 12 weeks of Probucol therapy. Four major subpopulations of apo A-containing lipoprotein particles are separated before and after drug treatment; LpAI, LpAI:AII, LpAIV, LpAI:AIV:AII. Probucol reduces both total plasma and LDL-cholesterol (-17 and -14%, respectively).

Beneficial effect on serum apo AI, apo B and Lp AI levels of Ramadan fasting.

In order to investigate for the first time in Morocco the effect of fasting in Ramadan, the ninth lunar month of the muslim year, on lipoprotein metabolism, we determined the levels of serum apolipoproteins; apolipoprotein AI (apo AI), apo B, apo AIV and those of lipoprotein particles; apo AI-containing lipoprotein particles (Lp AI) and also apo AI and apo AII containing lipoprotein particles (Lp AI:AII) in a group of 32 healthy, volunteer adult males. Determination of all these parameters was carried out on each week of the month of Ramadan and the results are compared with the pre-fasting and the post-fasting values. Ramadan fasting reduces significantly serum apo B (P < 0.

Apolipoproteins and lipoprotein particles in Moroccan patients with previous myocardial infarction.

We investigated for the first time in the Moroccan population the relationship between lipoprotein particles and the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Plasma lipid variables, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apolipoproteins AI and B, Lp AI, Lp AI: AII, and Lp(a) were measured in 40 Moroccan adults who suffered a verified myocardial infarction before the age of 50 years. The results were compared with a healthy control group.

Fasting during Ramadan induces a marked increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

We demonstrated for the first time in a Moroccan population that fasting during Ramadan, the ninth lunar month of the Muslims' year, affected lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in a group of 32 healthy adult male volunteers. This investigation was conducted to study the changes in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), glucose, and body weight during Ramadan. The results showed a significant decrease (7.

Apolipoprotein AIV of human interstitial fluid is associated with apolipoprotein AI-containing but not with AII-containing particles.

Apolipoproteins and lipoprotein particles from human interstitial fluid and plasma were analyzed. The interstitial fluid was enriched in apolipoproteins AI, AII, and AIV compared with apo B, apo CIII, and apo E, LpAI was found to contain apo AIV which was absent from LpAI: AII. Moreover, the bulk of lecithin-cholesterol acyl-transferase was present in LpAI.

Carnitine in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, and platelets.

We tried to study the distribution of carnitine in human blood. Total carnitine (free plus acylcarnitine) was determined in red blood cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, platelets, and plasma from 15 apparently healthy adults. We did not find carnitine in red blood cells but found it in significant amounts in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells, 52.