Effect of low-dose folic acid supplementation versus HRT and combination of folic acid and HRT on plasma level of homocysteine in postmenopausal women

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy [HRT] and folic acid supplementation on Homocysteine [Hcy] level in postmenopausal women. This is a randomized clinical trial conducted on 66 postmenopausal women [menopause at least for 2 years] attending Hamedan outpatient Fatemieh teaching hospital. Since March 2006 till April 2007. The patients were randomly divided into four groups. Before studying plasma level of Albumin, total protein, folate, fasting level of plasma Hcy was measured. The patients of first group received folic acid 5mg daily. In the second group of patients took oral conjugated estrogen 0/625mg and medroxy progesterone acetate 2/5 mg daily. In third group the patients received combination of folic acid and HRT and placebo in fourth group. Fasting plasma level of Hcy was measured four weeks later. Plasma level of Hcy was significantly decreased in group1, 2 and 3 [P<0/05] after treatment. There was significant difference between group 1, 3 [p=0/026] and 1, 4 [P=0/005] for plasma level of Hcy. HRT and folic acid therapy can reduce plasma Hcy. Combination of both HRT and folic acid supplementation is more effective than HRT or folic acid alone in reduction of hyperhomocysteinemia

effect of Ramadan fasting on preterm labor

Preterm -Labor increases the expenses of health costs. If it starts, there is no definite treatment. Some studies argue about prolonged starvation and Ramadan fasting in pregnancy with preterm Labor. This study is to clarify Ramadan fasting in pregnancy and preterm labor relationship. Two-hundred and seventy preterm labors as case group and 966 term. labor controls are studied regarding Ramadan fasting in pregnancy, In 2003 fasting interval was about 12 hours. Maternal age, parity, gravity, abortion and history of preterm labor was similar in two groups. One-hundred and nine [40.4.%] out of 270 preterm labor cases were fasting in pregnancy and 161 [54.6%] were not. Three hundred and ninety eight [41.2%] out of 966 term labors were fasting and 568 [58.8%] were not. Ramadan fasting in pregnancy did not increase preterm labor probability [P: 0.76]. In the subgroup of Ramadan fasting in the first pregnancy, fasting caused a decrease in preterm labor probability [p: 0.000]. About 12 hours Ramadan fasting in pregnancy does not increase preterm labor probability