ABSTRACT
Findings have shown that low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level is a possible risk factor for incidence of preeclampsia during pregnancy. Vitamin D has important effects on multiple biological pathways, including angiogenesis. Some studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among women suffering from preeclampsia, influencing immune modulation and vascular function. Evidence has shown that an imbalance of pro-antigenic and anti-angiogenic proteins can be considered as a possible etiological factor in the development of preeclampsia. Besides, there is a series of studies linking the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system [RAAS] with preeclampsia. In this article, we review the current studies evaluating the association between maternal vitamin D status and vascular health, metabolism, placental immune function and the risk of preeclampsia. We provided evidence of the different factor involved in the metabolism of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor [VDR] expression, gene regulations, immune function, and chronic disease when vitamin D is used optimally
ABSTRACT
The most common geriatric psychiatric disorder is depression, known to be a multi factorial disorder. However, the influence of common preventable factors is yet to be discovered. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of depression and some possible risk factors in elderly residents of nursing homes in Iran. Data on demographic characteristics, nutritional and health status of 244 residents aged 60 years or older were collected from seventeen nursing homes in Tehran, Iran, during 2010 to 2012. Depression was assessed and classified according to the 15-item GDS. Univariate and then multivariate complex sample survey ordinal regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between depression and the risk factors. The average age of the 244 cases studied was 75.8 [ +/- 8.7] years, 53.3% were female [of whom 74.2% were housewives], 43.4% illiterate, and 32.0% were divorced or were living separately. The percentages of non-depressed, mild, moderate and severe depression were 9.8%, 50.0%, 29.5% and 10.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that dissatisfaction with personnel of nursing homes and food quality had odds ratios of 2.91 [1.33-6.36] and 2.64 [1.44-4.87], corresponding to greater odds of having a higher grade depression. Moreover, those who rested or walked had significantly higher risk of a more severe depression in comparison with those who did not [OR of 2.25 [1.50-3.38] and 1.98 [1.24-3.18], respectively], however, studying had a protective odds ratio of 0.17 [0.13-0.22]. Depression was very common in our sample and their lifestyle influenced its prevalence
ABSTRACT
Visfatin, a novel adiopocytokine, has been proven to be a proinflammatory mediator involved in the process of atherosclerosis. Visfatin has been shown to play a role in plaque destabilization as it is found abundantly in foam cell macrophages within unstable atherosclerotic plaques. The present study is designed to investigate the potential association between serum vistafin levels and the risk of acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. There were 72 patients [mean age: 61.57 +/- 11.40 years] as cases who presented with first-time AMI that were assessed 8 hours after the incident. The control group consisted of 83 healthy volunteers [mean age: 60.30 +/- 8.32 years]. Plasma visfatin levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay in both groups. Biochemical parameters were analyzed. Blood pressure, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, diabetes, and hypertension were recorded. Serum visfatin levels were significantly higher in patients with AMI [12.77 +/- 8.06 ng/ml] compared to controls [6.57 +/- 2.96 ng/ml, P 7.244 ng/ml [log visfatin > 0.86] had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 75% for predicting AMI. We have detected high levels of visfatin in patients with AMI. It can be concluded that proinflammatory cytokines such as visfatin may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis as well as destabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque
ABSTRACT
Soy milk replacement in the diet might have beneficial effects on waist circumference and cardiovascular risk factors for overweight and obese subjects. Therefore, we are going to determine the effects of soy milk replacements on the waist circumference and cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adults. In this crossover randomized clinical trail, 24 over weight and obese female adults were on a diet with soy milk or the diet with cow's milk for four weeks. In the diet with soy milk only one glass of soy milk [240 cc] was replaced instead of one glass of cow's milk [240 cc]. Measurements were done according to the standard protocol. Waist circumference reduced significantly following soy milk period [mean percent change in soy milk period for waist circumference: -3.79 +/- 0.51 vs. -1.78 +/- 0.55%; P = 0.02 in the cow's milk period]. Blood pressure, weight, liver enzymes and glycemic control indices did not changed significantly after soy milk period compared to the cow's milk period. Among over weight and obese patients, soy milk can play an important role in reducing waist circumference. However, soy milk replacement had no significant effects on weight, glycemic control indices, liver enzymes, fibrinogen and blood pressure in a short term trial