Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and vitamin e on the blood levels of inflammatory markers, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in iranian basketball players

Exercise can change the release of numerous cytokines and modulate their receptor systems. Dietary w-3 lipids may decrease the levels of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins [PGs]. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of exercise and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] supplementation, with or without vitamin E, on the blood levels of IL-2, TNF-alpha catalase, glutathione reductase, and MDA in male basketball players. Thirty-four well-trained male basketball players were enrolled into the study. Venous blood samples were obtained from all subjects between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., after intensive endurance exercising for 2 hours, at the baseline and after intervention. Subjects received 2g EPA and/or 400 IU vitamin E or placebo depends on their groups for 6 weeks. There were significant fall [paired /-test] in TNF-a in groupl [P< 0.05], and in MDA in group 3 [P<0.05], whereas there were significant increase in glutathione reductase in groups 1 and 3 [P< 0.05], and in MDA in group2 [P< 0.05].There were significant differences [Tukey] in glutathione reductase between groups 2 and 3 [P< 0.05], and in IL-2 between groups 1 and other groups [P< 0.01], but there were no significant differences in MDA, CAT, and TNF-a, among groups after 6 week of intervention. Six weeks of EPA+vitamin E supplementation enhances the plasma levels of IL-2 and erythrocytes glutathione reductase, whereas it reduces TNF-alpha, and 6 weeks of EPA supplementation alone enhances only the serum level of MDA

[Assessment of folic acid and vitamin B[12] status and some of the interactive factors in mentally retarded patients]

Mental retardation is a disorder in people under 18, accompanied with restriction in mental abilities, daily activities, and social skills. These patients are at risk of malnutrition. The objective of this study is assessment of folic acid, vitamin B[12] and some of the interactive factors in mentally retarded patients. This descriptive study was conducted in 40 subjects 7-15 years old, which were divided into two groups: girls [n=20] and boys [n=20]. 24 hours dietary recall for two consecutive days and food frequency questionnaire [ffq] were used to evaluate intake of folate and vitamin B[12]. RIDA method was used for measurement of serum folate and vitamin B[12] with siwul- tral- SNB-Radioassay kit. Chi square and independent T-test and Spearman and Mann- Whitney also were used to compare groups. The results of this study showed that folate and vitamin B[12] intakes, were lower than RDA in all subjects. Meanwhile serum folate, erythrocyte folate and serum vitamin B[12] were low in 65, 62.5 and 35 percent of subjects, respectively. Mean [ +/- SD] of serum folate, vitamin B[12] and erythrocyte folate levels were 2.89 and 3.11 [ng/ml], 274.5 and 327.75 [pg/ml] and finally 98.26 and 103.27 [ng/ml] in girls and boys, respectively. Serum folate level correlated positively with vegetables consumption [p<0.05, r= 0.87]. Erythrocyte folate levels correlated negatively with anticonvulsant drugs consumption [p=0.01, r=-0.66], and parasite evidence [p=0.01, r=-0.82] and correlated positively with vegetables consumption [p<0.05, r=0.22]. Finally, serum vitamin B[12] level correlated negatively with anticonvulsant drugs consumption [p<0.01, r=-0.46] and parasite evidence [p<0.05, r=-0.60] and correlated positively with meat consumption [p=0,01, r=0.42]. The status of folate and vitamin B[12] in these mental retarded patients was not sufficient due to both low intake and parasite evidence and finally anticonvulsant drug consumption

[Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Eslamshahr]

Anemia in pregnancy is a significant public health problem especially in developing countries. Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy may lead to increased risks of preterm delivery, Low birth weight and still birth. This study was undertaken to detect iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women referring to health care centers of Eslamshahr/Iran. In this study, 266 selected pregnant women were divided into three groups of 1[st] trimester [n=58], 2[nd] trimester [n=73] and 3[rd] trimester [n=135] and their venous blood samples were collected for the determination of Hemoglobin [Hb], Hematocrit [Hc], MCV, serum iron, TIBC, Transferrin saturation [TS] and serum ferritin. Data were collected by using a general information questionnaire and daily intake of energy; protein and iron were estimated by using 24hr dietary recall questionnaire. Data were analyzed by frequency, mean and standard deviation and Chi square tests, Anova and Tukey HSD. Comparing to the normal levels, in the first trimester 1.7%, 40.4%, in second trimester 5.7%, 49.7%, and in the third trimester 2.8%, 54.5%, of pregnant women were deficient in Hb and Serum iron respectively. Also in the first trimester 54.5%, in the second trimester 10.4% and in the third trimester 22.7% of pregnant women were deficient in daily iron intake, respectively.The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the studied population is high. Hb determination is not enough to detect iron deficiency anemia and ferritin determination is necessary to asses iron stores. Moreover, iron supplements cannot completely treat anemia