Effects of garlic [Allium sativum] extract on the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products and proinflammatory cytokines secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: receptor for advanced glycation end products [RAGE] plays a causative role in diabetes. Garlic [Allium sativum] belongs to compounds with anti-glycation activity that can be considered as probable therapeutic approaches in delaying or preventing the onset of diabetes complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of garlic on the RAGE expression and proinflammatory cytokines secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Materials and Methods: the PBMCs were isolated from 20 patients with fasting blood sugar level above 126 mg/dl and treated with R10 fraction and whole garlic extract in presence or absence of glycated albumin. The expression of RAGE was detected using flow cytometry and the proinflammatory cytokines secretion was evaluated by ELISA

Results: glycated albumin increased RAGE expression and proinflammatory cytokines secretion. Treatment with whole garlic extract significantly reduced TNF-alpha and IL-1beta secretion and RAGE expression by PBMCs but R10 fraction augmented the proinflammatory cytokines and RAGE expression in absence or presence of glycated albumin

Conclusion: downregulation of RAGE expression was associated with decreased secretion of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha from PBMCs after treatment with whole garlic, while R10 fraction of garlic significantly augmented RAGE expression and proinflammatory cytokines secretion. These data indicates that modulation of RAGE expression may be one plausible reason for the garlic effects on proinflammatory cytokines secretion

[ prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome in 14-18 year old girls of Zanjan high schools, 2008]

Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women. There is very little information about the prevalence of PCOS in Iran. With regard to the symptoms of PCOS which begin after menarche and regarding to its side effects on women's health, we aimed to determine the prevalence of PCOS in adolescents in Zanjan, Iran. In this descriptive community based study, 1882, 14-18 year old adolescents were randomly selected from Zanjan schools. The presence of PCOS was determined by the presence of olygomenorea, hirsutism, acne and androgenic alopecia. For correlation between PCOS and obesity, BMI and central obesity was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using K[2] test. PCOS was present in 54[2.9%], hirsutism was present in 161 [8.6%], acne was present in 220 [11.7%], androgenic alopsia was present in 130[6.9%] and menstrual irregularity was present in 281 [16.9%] of the cases. The prevalence of central obesity and over weight did not differ among the studied groups. The prevalence of PCOS in our study was similar to the results reported from other societies. With regard to PCOS side effects, we suggest that the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS is better to be started from adolescence

Thyroid function and anti-thyroid antibodies in Iranian patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: influences of age and sex

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with autoimmune thyroid disease [ATD].Genetic susceptibility for autoantibody formation in association with ATD and type 1 diabetes mellitus has been described with varying frequencies, but there is still debate about its prevailing situation in Iran. We have therefore investigated the prevalence of anti-thyroid peroxidase [anti-TPO] and anti thyroglubolin [Anti TG] antibodies in type 1 diabetic patients, and compared the effect of age and sex on the thyroid autoimmunity in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Iran. Ninety one subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus and one hundred and sixty three unrelated normal controls under the age of thirty years were recruited for the detection of anti-TPO and anti-TG. Radio Immuno Assay and chemiluminescence methods were used for anti-TPO and anti-TG detection respectively. Among 91 type 1 diabetic patients, 36 [39.6%] were positive for anti-TPO and 27[30%] were positive for antiTG. Anti-TPO antibodies were detected only in 6.7% of control group. Comparing with those without thyroid autoimmunity, there was a female preponderance for the type 1 diabetic patients with thyroid autoimmunity [female: male, 28:14 vs. 28:20 respectively]. Among the type 1 diabetic patients those with thyroid autoimmunity, tended to be older [p: 0.04] and to have higher TSH concentration [p: 0.03]. Patients with high anti-TPO levels had longer duration of diabetes [P: 0.02]. The presence of anti-TPO in 39.6% of our type 1 diabetic patients comparing with 8.5% of normal subjects confirmed the strong association of ATD and type 1 diabetes mellitus

Hemochromatosis gene [HFE] mutations in patients with type 2 diabetes and their control group in an Iranian population

To assess the frequency of 2 different forms of hemochromatosis HFE gene mutations C282Y and H63D mutations in a normal population in comparison with type 2 diabetic patients. This case control study was undertaken in Zanjan Diabetic Care Center, Zanjan, western Tehran, in 2005. Two hundred and two individuals were included in this study: 101 type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM patients, and 101 age, and gender-matched controls. The patients were examined for mutations in the HFE gene. Nucleotide 845 C282Y and 187 H63D alleles were amplified by polymerase chain reaction PCR with lymphocyte deoxy-ribonucleic acid. The PCR products were analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion. Chi-square, student's t test, and Fisher's exact tests were used for comparison, and odds' ratio was calculated. Two hundred and two individuals were studied. The frequency of wild/C282Y alleles was 98/2% in T2DM patients, and 99/1% in controls p=0.6. The frequency of wild/H63D alleles was 68.3/31.7% in diabetics p=0.08, and 73.4/26.3% in control subjects p=0.08. The distribution of genotypes was not statistically different. Based on our data, HFE mutations were not found in excess in patients with T2DM, and there was no evidence that a population-based search for an excess of these alleles in type 2 diabetes was indicated

effects of type II diabetes on bone density in menopause women

To determine the importance of type 2 Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, this study was designed in endocrine clinic of zanjan in 2003. As a case-control study, 40 diabetic and 40 healthy menopause women have been recruited. These two groups were matched in terms of their age, length of their menopausal period and body mass index. Serum Calcium, Phosphorus, Alkaline phosphatase and Estradiol were measured in all the cases and bone densities in three sites [Femoral neck, lumbar spine and forearm] were evaluated with DXA. All data were analyzed using T-test, analysis of variance, chi-square and multiple regression tests. The frequency of osteoporosis and osteopenia in diabetic women were not significantly different from non diabetics. The mean bone density in femoral neck was higher in diabetic group [P= 0.013]. In both groups there was a significant relationship between bone density and length of menopause [P<0.01]. The relationship between BMI and Bone density was significant only in femoral neck [P<0.01] in both groups. In diabetic women, the higher HbAlc accompanied with the lower bone density in lumbar spine. Although the level of HbAlc as a marker of blood glucose control, has a relationship with lumbar spine density in diabetics, Diabetes type 2 is not a risk factor for osteoporosis, so screening, diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in diabetes type 2, should be done independently and according to other risk factors