[Association of LXRbeta rs17373080 polymorphism with obesity and obesity-related phenotypes in an Iranian population]

Liver X receptor Beta [NR1H3] has a pivotal role in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and is located in an obesity susceptibility region, and genetic variations in it may play a role in etiology of human obesity. This study aims to assess the association of the LXRbeta rs17373080 polymorphism with obesity and related traits. A total of 435 unrelated subjects, including 160 obese, 201 overweight and 74 controls randomly selected from Mashhad city, were enrolled in the present case-control study. The anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured and DNA samples were genotyped by the TaqMan assay. Allelic and genotypic frequencies showed no significant associations with obesity and related traits, even after age and gender adjustment. By logistic regression using a dominant model, the odds ratios for the obesity were: 0.85 [0.46-1.57] for genotype CG and 1.14 [0.48-2.69] for genotype GG, compared with the genotype CC as a reference. The allelic frequency of the LXRbeta gene variant in whole population and also in three BMI groups was in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This study revealed no association between LXRbeta rs17373080 polymorphism and the risk of obesity in an Iranian population, suggesting this SNP is not a major contributor to risk of obesity

Coronary artery disease and its risk factors status in Iran: a review

Coronary artery disease [CAD] is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability in the world. The high prevalence and morbidity associated with CAD in Iran is one of the most pressing health problems. We have reviewed the status of CAD and prevalence of its traditional and novel risk factors based on the published papers in recent years that may have an impact on the rate of CAD in Iran. Evaluation of current impact of metabolic syndrome in Iran was the other aim of this review, as it contributes to pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. We reviewed all PubMed indexed related studies. Some evidences from national articles which were published by the Ministry Of Health and Medical Education Research Council Certified Medical Journals of Islamic Republic of Iran were also included. The prevalence of CAD, coronary risk factors and metabolic syndrome in Iran is higher than Western countries and similar to some Middle East countries. There are limited data with regard to novel coronary risk factors in Iran. Primary and secondary prevention of CAD including life style modifications and dietary interventions strongly recommended in Iranian population

Association between malnutrition and depression in elderly people in Razavi Khorasan: a population based-study in Iran

To determine the prevalence of malnutrition and depression in free-living elderly people and their relationships [If any] in Razavi Khorasan, Iran 2007. To evaluate nutritional status, we used Mini Nutritional Assessment [MNA] method in free-living elderly people [n=1565 using cluster sampling, 720 males and 845 females, aged>/= 60 yr] and their relationship to Socio Economic Conditions [SECs]. Based on the final scores, our patients were classified into three groups: score 17-23.5 [at risk for malnutrition], score less than 17 [with malnutrition], and score 24-30 [well nourished]. To determine the mood status [here depression], we used Geriatric Depression Score [GDS]. According to this score our participants turned out to be in two distinct groups: depressed [score >/=8] and non-depressed [score< 8]. From the total subjects entered the study [1495], 22.07% were depressed and 11.5% and 44% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition respectively. In depressed group, the prevalence of malnutrition was 14.5% [48 out of 330] and the prevalence of "at risk of malnutrition" was 45.8%, whereas the prevalence of malnutrition and at risk of malnutrition in non-depressed population were 10.6% and 43.3% respectively. From the aforementioned information we have concluded that there is a significant statistical difference between the prevalence of malnutrition in depressed and non-depressed individuals [P= 0.047]. With respect to the high rate of vegetative symptoms in elderly depressed individuals, malnutrition would have a higher prevalence in the depressed people

effect of maternal selenium supplementation on pregnancy outcome and the level of oxidative stress in neonates

Pregnancy is regarded as a condition which is usually accompanied by oxidative stress. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of maternal selenium supplementation during gestation on the level of oxidative stress in neonates and the pregnancy outcome. In this double-blind trial, 179 primigravid pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy were randomly assigned to receive 100 micro g of selenium [Se group] or a placebo [control group] per day until delivery. The level of oxidative stress and serum selenium concentration was determined in the maternal and umblical cord sera of the subjects. Oxidative stress was measured by means of a novel assay of prooxidant-antioxidant balance [PAB]. The incidence of any pregnancy complications and outcomes was also evaluated in all neonates, being fully examined and followed up until 45 days. Although maternal selenium concentration was significantly higher in the Se group [p<0.001], there was no statistically significant differences in the umblical cord selenium content between the two groups. Selenium supplementation was not associated with any significant decrease in PAB values in the Se group. The incidence of neonatal complications and outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups. Maternal selenium supplementation during pregnancy was safe but was not associated with a significant change in the extent of oxidative stress in neonates