Assessment of zinc concentration in random samples of the adult population in Shiraz, Iran

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for human health. However, little is known about concentration of this mineral among Iranian population. This study was carried out to determine the current zinc status, evaluate the impact of certain factors like age, sex and Body Mass Index [BMI], and to verify the prevalence of zinc deficiency among Iranian adult population in Shiraz, southern Iran. Serum samples from 374 randomly selected healthy individuals living in Shiraz, Iran, aged 19-82 years [143 males, 231 females] were collected and the serum zinc concentration was measured by Flame-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. We considered the subjects with serum zinc concentration less than 100 microg/dl as zinc deficient. The serum zinc levels in females were lower than those of males with no statistically significant difference. Serum zinc concentrations were unrelated to age and BMI. It also did not change among different ages and BMI intervals. About 42.5% of our cases had serum zinc concentration below the cut off value of 100 microg/dl in the serum. Designing appropriate strategies for overcoming this public health problem is necessary

effect of thiazolidenedione on glucocorticoid induced central obesity in rats

Central obesity is a common complication of glucocorticoids which is associated with insulin resistance. In some studies, thiazolidinediones have decreased central obesity in type 2 diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pioglitazone on glucocorticoid induced central obesity in rats. Forty Sprague-Daily rats were divided into 2 groups, with 10 male and 10 female rats in each. In group 1, methylprednisolone succinate 5 mg/kg was injected 3 times per week and pioglitazone 30 mg/kg/day was given. In group 2, only methylprednisolone succinate was administered. After 3 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and visceral fat was removed, and the weight of visceral fat, abdomen circumference and total body weight in the 2 groups were compared. The weight of animals was not different significantly however animals given pioglitazone had less visceral fat [7.32 +/- 2.60 vs 11.95 +/- 2.76 gr P < 0.001] and lower abdominal circumference [11.92 +/- 1.20 vs 14.98 +/- 1.74 cm P < 0.001]. Pioglitazone has antagonistic effect on glucocorticoid induced central obesity

[Effect of sexual pheromones, and sexual and paternal behaviors on the plasma level of testosteron in male wistar rat]

Pheromones play a major role in the sexual and social behavior of animals. The main sources of pheromones are urine and paracrine secretions. Pheromones can affect the mammals reproductive physiology. The vomeronasal organ [VNO] is located in the base of nasal cavity and VNO has some effects on amygdal; stimulating the amygdal hence could affectthe mammal's sexual behavior. Through the neuroendocrine system, testosterone is a safe parameter to measure and compare the effects on the sexual behavior. With regard to the neuroendocrine system, testosterone is a safe parameter for measuring the effects of pheromones on sexual behaviors. In this research, we have investigated the of pheromone interaction on sexual behaviors such as intercourse, mating and being near a pregnant female, also paternal behavior after children's birth, have been investigated. The effects of sexual pheromones were determined with a special cage without any sensory stimulation interference, such as visual, auditory, tactile senses [3.58 +/- 0.38 ng/mL]. Proximity between a female and a male rat increased plasma levels of testosterone rapidly [10.59 +/- 2.25 ng/mL, P<0.01]. Mating caused a decrease in testosterone levels comparing to premate groups [4.32 +/- 0.95 ng/mL, P<0.05]. During pregnancy, the testosterone levels increased up to the second week [6.11 +/- 1.58 ng/mL, P<0.017] then decreased rapidly[1.65 +/- 0.37 ng/mL, P<0.017]. After birth of children, the father rat testosterone levels decreased gradually [0.36 +/- 0.14 ng/mL, P<0.017]. But the presence of the father rat's near the strange child rat, the plasma levels of testosterone to increase significantly compared to the increase in mating groups[8.46 +/- 1.26 ng/mL, P<0.017]. These findings suggest that female sexual pheromones and different fatherhood and sexual behaviors, directly affect plasma levels of testosterone and can subsequently affect mating rats' reproductive activities