[Effect of turmeric consumption on serum levels of intracellular adhesion molecule, iron, ferritin and total iron binding capacity in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]]

Introduction: the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of turmeric consumption on serum levels of ICAM, iron, ferritin and the total iron binding capacity [TIBC] as cardiovascular risk factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]

Material and Methods: a randomized, double blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on 46 NAFLD patients who were referred to a gastroenterologist and diagnosed with liver ultrasonography. The subjects were assigned into two groups, experimental [n=23] and placebo [n=23]. The experimental group received 6 capsules containing 500 mg turmeric and the control group received the same number of placebo capsules for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake and blood biochemical parameters were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test, Paired t-test and ANCOVA

Results: there were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, daily energy intakes and echogenicity of liver between the two groups at the beginning. The level of ICAM in the experimental group significantly decreased at the end of the study compared to the beginning [P=0.001]. Turmeric consumption significantly decreased serum ferritin levels at the end of the study compared to control group [P=0.026]

Conclusion: the results of this study showed that turmeric consumption has beneficial effects on serum levels of ICAM and ferritin in individuals with NAFLD and most likely is effective in controlling the risk factors of this disease

[Effects of vitamin E supplementation on activity of serum paraoxonase, SOD, GPX enzymes and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemia patients]

In pathogenesis of beta major thalassemia, tissue damage is occurring due to oxidative stress. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on serum Paraoxonase, SOD, GPX enzyme activity and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemia patients. In this clinical tiral study, Sixty [25 males, 35 females] beta major thalassemia patients with age >/= 18 years who had criterias to enter the study, were selected randomely in two groups. The patients in interventional group, vitamin E at a dose of 400 mg/day were given for three months, with no supplementations in control group. The enzyme activities of paraoxonase, SOD, GPX and lipid profiles [LDL-c, HDL-c, triglyceride, total Antixidant Capacity] were measured prior and after 3 months in both case and control groups. Data analyzed by using paired t-test. Significant increases in serum levels of vitamin E, Paraoxonase activity, HDL cholesterol [P<0.001], BMI [P

[Effect of ground black seed [nigella sativa l.] on serum lipid profile, body weight and food intake in hyperlipidemic rabbits]

Black seed [Nigella sativa L.] is one of the most revered medicinal plants which has been used to treat many diseases including hypercholesterolemia in some folk medicines. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary supplementation with crushed black seed on serum lipid profile, body weight and food intake in hyperlipidemic rabbits. Twenty-four New Zealand male rabbits after 2 weeks of adaptation received a hypercholesterolemic diet with 0.5% cholesterol for 1 month. Then the rabbits were randomly assigned into two groups, the control group was continued on the 0.5% cholesterol diet and the black seed group received 7.5 g/kg bw/day crushed black seed along with the 0.5% cholesterol diet, for 2 months. The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Fasting blood sampling and measurement of body weight was carried out at baseline, after hyperlipidemia, 1 month and 2 months of treatment and the levels of serum lipid profile were determined. Daily food intake also was measured by subtracting the given food from its residues. The concentrations of serum TC, TG, LDL-C, TC/HDL-C and LDL.C/ HDL-C were significantly lower in black seed group as compared to the control group during the 2 months of treatment, but there was no significant difference in body weight and food intake between the two groups. According to these findings, dietary black seed favorably decreased serum lipid profile in hyperlipidemic rabbits; therefore, black seed may be used as a useful therapy for hyperlipidemia

Comparison of serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels in women of childbearing age, oral contraceptive users, postmenopausal and who take hormone replacement therapy

There is a growing awareness that vitamin D sufficiency is required for optimal health, and also the role of vitamin D in calcium absorption and metabolism for bone health is well known. The objective of this study was to investigate the serum vitamin D level in childbearing age and postmenopausal women and comparing with women who use oral contraceptive pills [OCP] and who take hormone replacement therapy [HRT]. Ninety-seven healthy non pregnant-non lactating women with a mean age of 32.67 +/- 5.14 years old [50 OCP users and 47 non- OCP users] and 56 healthy postmenopausal women, with a mean age of 51.42 +/- 3.22 years old [29 were taking HRT and 27 were not taking HRT] were studied using biochemical procedures [measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D], anthropometric measurements [weight and height] and completing 24-hour recall questionnaire for determining daily dietary calcium intake. No significant differences were found between either OCP and non- OCP users or HRT and non- HRT groups in terms of mean body mass index [BMI], and dietary intakes of calcium. Mean daily calcium intake in all groups was lower than recommended daily allowances. There was no significant difference in serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D levels between OCP- users and non-OCP users, However the mean serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D level in HRT group was significantly higher than that of non- HRT group [P<0.01].The majority of subjects in OCP and non - OCP, and HRT groups had serum vitamin D levels lower than normal limit. Vitamin D deficiency was common in the study subjects, which may have important health consequences. Using low- dose OCP had not resulted in altered Vitamin D metabolism compared to non -OCP users. However, in postmenopausal women, taking HRT had positive effect on serum vitamin D level. It is suggested to emphasize for overcoming vitamin D deficiency in community as one of the health priorities

[Study of correlation between serum leptin levels and body composition in healthy obese and non-obese women]

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a hormone secreted by adipocytes, and results in a decrease in food intake an increase in energy expenditure via hypothalamic interactions. In animal models, obesity can be caused by leptin deficiency or dysfunction of hypothalamic leptin receptor. The aim of this study was to examin the relation between serum leptin levels and body composition. In this study, we measured serum concentration of leptin in 51 normal weight subjects [BMI < 25 kg/m[2]] and 50 obese subjects [BMI >/= 25] by ELISA. BMI was defined as the weight in kilogram divided by the square of height in meters and body composition was determined by bioimpedance analyzer. The mean +/- SE] serum leptin concentrations were 17.5 +/- 0.81 ng per milliliter in obese subjects and 4.9 +/- 0.55 ng per milliliter in the normal weight women [p< 0.0005]. There were a strong positive correlation between serum leptin concentration and body fat mass [r= 0.53] and BMI [r = 0.41] in obese women and lean body mass was inversely related to leptin concentration in normal weight subjects [r = - 0.28]. Significant relation between leptin and WHR neither in obese nor in normal weight group was not observed. We conclude that circulating leptin raised continuously with increasing adiposity and body fat mass is the main predictor of serum leptin concentration