ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a hydro-alcoholic extract of Vitex agnus-castus [VAC] fruit on blood urea nitrogen [BUN], creatinine [Cr] and, kidney histology of a female mouse model of D-galactose induced aging. In this experimental study, 72 NMRI mice were divided into 6 groups: control, VAC, D-galactose, D-galactose+VAC, aging, and aging+VAC. D-galactose was injected for 45 days and, VAC extract administered in the last 7 days, twice a day. Serum BUN and Cr levels were not significantly changed in the D-galactose and natural aged animals in comparison to control group. Histological changes such as nuclear pyknosis, proximal cell swelling, infiltration of inflammatory cells, tubular dilatation and, vasodilatation were observed in both D-galactose and natural aged mice. Further, glomerules diameter was decreased in them. Administration of VAC could attenuate the histological alterations. These results indicate that VAC may have beneficial effects on aging and aging related kidney disease
ABSTRACT
Contrary to the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in different age groups, most previously published educational programs for diabetic patients have been conducted for young or newly diagnosed patients. This study was performed to determine the effect of nutrition education programs on metabolic, anthropometric and blood-pressure indices of elderly individuals, aged above 60 years with type 2 diabetes. A hundred elderly diabetic patients participated in this interventional study. Data on the control and intervention groups was collected in two stages, before and 12 weeks after intervention. Intervention of nutrition education was performed based on the BASNEF model and, data collected were analyzed using Chi-square, t-test and the paired t-test. The intervention group showed a significant reduction in body weight [-1.3 kg], body mass index [-.48 kg/m2], triglycerides [-18.25 mg/dl], fasting plasma glucose [-19.5mg/dl], and HbA1c [-.36%]. A decrease in HDL [-1.02mg/dl, P= .9] and LDL [-4.04, P=.2] was also observed in the interventional group, although the change was not significant. No significant differences were seen in systolic and diastolic blood pressure [p>0.05]. Based on the results of the present study, short-term nutrition education can improve biochemical and anthropometric indice of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes