Asian Journal of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Bidirectional Relationship between Thyroid Hormones and Insulin Regulation in Neonates: Molecular Mechanisms

M. Madhubala — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Thyroid hormones and insulin are key regulators of neonatal metabolic adaptation, acting through a reciprocal endocrine network that supports glucose homeostasis, growth and cellular maturation after birth. During the transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life, neonates require rapid metabolic reorganisation, and thyroid hormones, particularly triiodothyronine (T3), contribute to this process by influencing pancreatic β-cell maturation, hepatic glucose production and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Experimental findings indicate that T3 supports β-cell functional development through transcriptional activation of genes such as MAFA, thereby facilitating glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Conversely, insulin signalling may influence thyroid hormone action during the neonatal period by modulating growth-related pathways, including insulin-like growth factors, and by affecting tissue-level thyroid hormone metabolism. This reciprocal regulation involves deiodinases, thyroid hormone receptors and intracellular cascades such as PI3K/Akt, which integrate endocrine and metabolic responses during early life. Disruption of thyroid function associated with maternal disease, prematurity or environmental influences may disturb this balance, leading to altered insulin sensitivity, impaired glucose metabolism and possible long-term metabolic consequences. This review synthesises evidence on the molecular mechanisms underlying the bidirectional relationship between thyroid hormones and insulin regulation in neonates, with emphasis on transcriptional regulation, epigenetic modification, hormone-receptor interactions, glucose transport, hepatic glucose output and peripheral insulin action. It also considers how intrauterine influences and neonatal endocrine immaturity may shape thyroid-insulin crosstalk in clinically vulnerable infants soon after birth. Understanding these interconnected mechanisms may assist in clarifying neonatal metabolic programming and may support more integrated approaches to the diagnosis and management of endocrine and metabolic disturbances in early life.

Comparative Assessment of Mineral and Vitamin Composition of Canarium schweinfurthii Pulp and Seed

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Fruits are significant for human nutrition, even though they supply essential elements that the body needs to function correctly. Inadequate micronutrient intake and resulting micronutrient deficiencies are among the biggest threats to global public health.

Aim: The study aimed to investigate the mineral and vitamin composition of C. schweinfurthii pulp and seed quantitatively and assess their nutritional value.

Methodology: Following acid digestion, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) was used to analyze minerals (APHA, 1995). Vitamin C was measured by titrimetry, whereas vitamins A, D, E, and B were measured by spectrophotometry. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 27.

Results: The amounts of calcium (9.18 ppm), magnesium (5.15 ppm), iron (1.36 ppm), and selenium (8.23 ppm) were greater in the seed than in the pulp (5.01 ppm), (4.15 ppm), (0.47 ppm), and (0.05 ppm), respectively. However, the vitamin analysis revealed that the seed had higher vitamins A (56.94 mg/kg), C (110.88 mg/kg), B₁ (1.65 mg/kg), B₂ (1.64 mg/kg), and E (39.24 mg/kg) when compared with the pulp (14.06 mg/kg), (65.62 mg/kg), (1.12 mg/kg), (0.95 mg/kg), and (32.08 mg/kg). Additionally, the pulp has substantially more vitamin B₆ (10.01 mg/kg) and vitamin D (34.18 mg/kg) than the seed (2.09 mg/kg and 10.09 mg/kg, respectively). The pulp contained barely 0.03 mg/kg of mercury.

Conclusion: The results suggest that C. schweinfurthii's pulp and seed are rich in nutritionally significant minerals and vitamins, making it a potential dietary supplement to address micronutrient deficiencies.

Sensory Attributes and Toxicological Risk Assessment of Suya Meat Packaged in Various Materials under Ambient Storage Conditions

Aderounmu Ibrahim Ganiyu, Idris, Aminat Onize, Ikra, Muhammad Sani — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Suya meat, a widely consumed Nigerian street food, presents significant food safety challenges during ambient-temperature storage, particularly with respect to organoleptic deterioration and chemical contamination from packaging materials. This study evaluated the sensory attributes and toxicological implications of suya stored at 25°C in four packaging materials cellophane film (CF), aluminium foil (AF), glass jar (GJ), and newspaper (NP) with the objectives of characterising sensory quality trajectories and estimating the non-carcinogenic health risk associated with heavy metal exposure from consumed suya. Sensory evaluation by a trained 10–15-member panel using a 9-point hedonic scale revealed CF samples to have the highest fresh overall acceptability (7.75 ± 0.79), with all packaging types declining below the marginal acceptance threshold (≤ 5.0) by day 7. Heavy metal analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) showed all samples compliant with Codex Alimentarius limits for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). However, the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) for Pb was highest in NP samples (THQ = 0.18; Hazard Index HI = 0.18; classified as Elevated Risk) and zero in CF samples (HI = 0.00; Safe). The ash content increase of 135% in NP samples over 14 days provided corroborating field evidence of chemical migration. These findings collectively identify NP as a food-contact material of serious public health concern, while CF is recommended as the preferred packaging option based on both sensory and toxicological performance profiles.

Evaluation of Some Essential Minerals among Military Cigarette Smokers and Alcohol Users in Abuja, Nigeria

D. Nwabotu, Chike, A. Obisike, Uchechukwu, G. Tamuno-Emine, Davies — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption disrupt essential mineral homeostasis, causing oxidative stress and inflammation. Military personnel, exposed to occupational stress and elevated substance use, require urgent evaluation of their mineral status.

Aim of the Study: To evaluate the levels of some essential minerals in military cigarette smokers and alcohol users in Abuja, Nigeria.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Army Command and Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Hospital, Asokoro, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria, between February and September 2024.

Methodology: This study randomly recruited 160 male military personnel aged between 25 to 64 years, 25 were cigarette smokers, 45 alcohol consumers and 45 individuals who both smoke and consume alcohol, and 45 non-exposed controls, with exposure status determined based on self-reported history of cigarette use and alcohol intake. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture and used for analysis. Serum Ca, Mg, inorganic phosphate, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Fe²⁺ levels were estimated using colorimetric method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 25. and results were considered statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: Results obtained from this study revealed significant increases p<0.05 in Mg²⁺ (1.03 ± 0.07mmol/L), Zn²⁺ (136.27 ± 13.11ug/dL), and Cu²⁺ (18.59 ± 3.85umol/L) levels, alongside a significant reduction p<0.05 in serum Ca²⁺(2.11 ± 0.11mmol/L), among smokers when compared with non-smokers. Among alcohol users, Mg²⁺ (1.00 ± 0.07mmol/L), Zn²⁺(135.54 ± 7.32ug/dL), and Fe²⁺ (20.11 ± 7.70umol/L) were significantly elevated p<0.05, while Ca²⁺(2.10 ± 0.17mmol/L), and Cu²⁺(13.25 ± 5.35umol/L) levels were significantly reduced. In the group that both smoked and consumed alcohol, PO₄²⁻(1.23 ± 0.22mmol/L), Zn²⁺(137.95±9.84ug/dL), and Fe²⁺(27.76 ± 13.28umol/L) levels were significantly elevated p<0.05, while Ca²⁺ (2.18 ± 0.14mmol/L) was significantly decreased. Analysis based on age revealed that Zn²⁺ levels varied significantly with age.

Conclusion: These findings emphasize the potential health risks of smoking and alcohol use on some essential minerals and systemic health in a vulnerable, physically active population.