ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Malnutrition is a prevalent health problem but an unknown one to which little attention has been paid. This can increase complications, morbidity and mortality of the disease. Therefore, early detection of malnutrition to provide nutritional support for patients is very crucial. The main objective of the present study was to determine the nutritional status of patients admitted to the hospitals affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences [BUMS]
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study on patients admitted to five hospitals affiliated to BUMS was done in 2011. Through stratified random sampling, 549 patients older than 20 years were selected from five hospitals and their nutrition status was determined by means of measuring their height, weight, and body mass index according to Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool [MUST] on their admission. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS [V:16], using X2 at the significant level P <0.05
Results: Mean age of the patients was 49 +/- 20 years. Among them, 52.8% were males. Prevalence of malnutrition was 58.8% from which 53% were at high risk and 5.8% at medium risk. Among the patients, 148 [57.1% female patients were at high risk of malnutrition whereas, in the males the high risk was diagnosed in 143 [49.3%] which the difference was significant [men] [P=0.03]. Prevalence of malnutrition in citizens was higher than villagers [P=0.001]. It was also significantly higher in over 45 year olds compared to other age groups [P=0.04]
Conclusion: Malnutrition is a common problem from which more than 53% of the patients suffer. Therefore, an organized clinical nutritional service in the health centers are required
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: The use of medicinal herbs is taken as a healthy and effective alternative treatment for hyperglycemia and liver toxicity. Therefore, due to the positive effects of exercise training on diabetic patients, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of a 6 week period of aerobic training together with Pistacia atlantica extract taking on protein carbonyl [PC], heat shock protein 70 [HSP70], and glycogen levels in the liver tissues of diabetic rats
Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: 1] healthy control, 2] diabetic control, 3] diabetic under aerobic training, 4] diabetics receiving Pistacia atlantica extract and 5] diabetics under aerobic training and receiving the extract. The six week period exercise program included aerobic training on a treadmill [5 sessions per week, 40 minutes per each session, with a speed of 20m/min and 5% incline]. Pistacia atlantica extract was fed 5 days per week [25mg/kg]. The rats were anesthetized.48 hours after the last training session, and their livers were isolated. Then, the level of their PC, HSP70, and hepatic glycogen were assessed by means of ELISA and chemical colorometry
Results: Mean level of PC in the diabetic group under aerobic training, diabetic group receiving pistacia extract, and the group under aerobic training together with receiving pistacia extract was significantly lower than that of the control diabetic group [P was 0.002, 0.006 and 0.002, respectively] but, mean level of PC was not significantly different in the three case groups. Mean level of HSP70 and glycogen in the three groups was not significantly different either [P was 0.21 and 0.59, respectively]
Conclusion: It was found that aerobic training and Pistacia atlantica extract consumption, either alone or together, led to a significant reduction in PC levels in the liver tissues of diabetic rats. Thus, Pistacia atlantica extract and aerobic training can be good remedies in reducing liver complications resulting from diabetes