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

effects of vitamins e and d supplementation on erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a public health problem worldwide. Increment of reactive oxygen species [ROS] production may be one of the contributing factors of tissue damage in atopic dermatitis. The present study was designed to determine the effect of vitamins E and/or D on erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in patients with atopic dermatitis. In a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial 45 atopic dermatitis patients were divided into four groups. Each group received one of the following supplements for 60 days: group A [n = 11] vitamins E and D placebos; group B [n= 12] 1600 international unit [IU] vitamin D3 plus vitamin E placebo; group C [n=11] 600 IU synthetic all -rac-a tocopherol plus vitamin D placebo; group D [nM] 1600 IU vitamin D3 plus 600 IU synthetic all -rac-a tocopherol. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase activities, serum 25 [OH] D, plasma a-tocopherol were determined. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance [ANOVA] and paired /test. After 60 days vitamin D and E supplementation, erythrocyte SOD activities increased in groups B, C and D [P= 0.002, P= 0.016 and P= 0.015, respectively]. Erythrocyte catalase activities increased in groups B and D [P= 0.026 and.P= 0.004, respectively]. The increment of erythrocyte catalase activity was not significant in group C. There was a positive significant correlation between SOD activity and serum 25 [OH] D [r= 0.378, P= 0.01]. It is concluded that vitamin D is as potent as vitamin E in increasing the activities of erythrocyte SOD and catalase in atopic dermatitis patients

Therapeutic effect of sodium selenite and zinc sulphate as sup-plementary with meglumine antimoniate[glucantime] against cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/C Mice

Successful therapy of leishmaniasis depends on effective cellular immune response. We evaluated the effectiveness of sodium selenite and zinc sulphate as known immunomodulator materials, in combination with Glucantime in treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions resulting from Leishmania major in susceptible animal model. Thirty three female mice weighing 18-20 g at the age of 7-8 week infected with L. major were randomly divided into 3 groups: group1: treated by sodium selenite [0.35 mg/kg for 30 days], group2: treated by zinc sulphate [2 mg/kg for 30 days] and group3: treated by distilled water [0.01 ml/gr body weight for 30 days] as control. All groups received Glucantime as a standard anti- leishmanial agent [60 mg/kg, ip] for 14 days. To assess the results of treatment measurement of lesions size and parasitological tests were done weekly. The lesion sizes increased continuously in sodium selenite group .Although, in zinc group did not increase compared to baseline but with considering the time- group interaction there was no significant difference between zinc and control group during this study. There was no difference between lesion sizes and Leishmanial loads in the interventional and control groups, respectively. Sodium selenite and zinc sulphate at mentioned doses and duration of treatment did not show any treatment effect on cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. major in BALB/c mice. Increasing the dose of supplements and considering the follow up period after treatment can help more certain conclusion

[Nutritional status and associated non-dietary factors in the elderly living in nursing homes of Tehran and Shemiranant, 2004]

To determine nutritional status and associated non-dietary factors in the elderly living in nursing homes of Tehran and Shemiranat, 2004. In a cross-sectional study that used two-stage cluster sampling, 290 elderly subjects were randomly selected from 15 nursing homes. We measured anthropometric indices and filled the MNA questionnaire] Mini Nutritional Assessment] and another one dealing with non-dietary factors associated with nutritional status. We calculated the total MNA score for nutritional status and determined the correlations between factors and total point were analyzed. In this survey, 12.8% of the subjects were malnourished and 56.2% were at risk of malnutrition. Data analysis indicated that the use of drugs, psychological stress or acute disease, mobility, neuropsychological problems, depression, time spend, self assessment of nutritional and health status had significant relationship with nutritional status as measured by the MNA. According to high percentage of malnourished subjects and those at risk of malnutrition, nutritional interventions seem necessary. In addition, to diagnose early malnutrition; we suggest filling the MNA questionnaire for every elderly person upon admission to the nursing home

Micronutrients Fe, Zn and Ca and their relationship with anthropometric indices and dental health among children

Proper nutrition has an important role in the physical and psychological development of children. The aim of this survey is to compare the nutrition of a community to the recommended daily amount [RDA] to determine deficiencies and present recommendations for improvement. In this cross-sectional study conducted in Tehran, Iran, 788 children, all seven years of age, were selected via cluster sampling and evaluated using standard questionnaires with a 24-hr recall regarding the frequency and type of food intake. Then by measurement of weight and height, their anthropometric and DMFT [decayed/missing/filled teeth] indices were determined using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance, and Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. Relative to the RDA, 23.6% of children had low intake of Ca, and 3.2% and 5.2% were deficient for Fe and Zn, respectively. Anthropometric measurements showed that 15.7% were malnourished based on weight for age, 10.5% based on height for age and 16.8% based on weight for height indices. The DMFT indices for children with dietary Ca levels under 75% of the RDA were significantly higher than those with sufficient Ca intake [P < 0.001]. The mean DMFT indices for dental development were 0.22 for permanent teeth [four molars; SD = 0.64] and 4.64 for primary teeth [SD = 3.24]. We found a significant correlation between DMFT indices and low Fe intake: the DMFT indices of children with iron deficiency were much higher than those with sufficient iron intake. Children in Tehran do not receive enough Ca Fe and Zn from their diets. This problem causes mild malnutrition and increases the risk of dental caries

[Comparison of nutritional status and related factors among pupils aged 11-14 year olds in public and private schools of Damghan [2005]]

Adolescence is one of the most important stages of human growth when the algorithm of nutritional needs establishes. This study aws carried out since there is not available any comprehensive and reliable data about nutritional status and related affecting factors in pupiles who study in the public and private schools of Iran especially in Damghan. The present study as a cross-sectional and descriptive study, was performed on 300 pupiles aged 11-14 years old in both public and private schools of Damghan. The questionnaire was composed of four parts: demographic information, weight and height measurements, diet and physical activity. Wasting, natural, overweight and obesity were respectively observed in 10%, 79%, 7% and 4% of pupiles in public schools, while they were respectively 6%, 73%, 16% and 5% for pupiles in private schools [p=0.04]. The observed differences were not dependent on sex [p=0.19]. Regression analysis showed that the differences in nutritional status can be explained by intake of vitamins B2, B12, as well as intake of daily energy and chocolate in these two types of schools. Wasting in public schools and overweight and obesity in private schools were the nutritional problems of adolescents in Damghan, which must be controlled. In addition, The observed differences in these two types of schools [as a means of different socio-economic status], which were explained by the related factors [different intake of B2, B12, energy and chocolate] could be similarly seen in many adolescents in all over Iran

[Effects of dietary calcium on body weight, carcass fat content and adipocyte size in male rats]

Calcium is a micronutrient and now receiving much attention for its doubtful effects on weight and body fatness. A few mechanisms has been suggested for calcium effects on body fatness and the most emphasized one is the reducing of lipolysis and increasing lipogenesis via reducing parathyroid hormone levels. The present study is designed to evaluate the effects of nondairy dietary calcium on adipogenes is and adipocyte size in male Sprague dawley rats. This experimental study was done from November to September of 2005 at Tehran school of health; nutritiondepartment.48 male Spragu-Dawley rats from Damgostar Company were used in three randomly selected groups. The rats were fed low [0.2% W/W], usual [0.5% W/W] and high [1.2% W/W] dietary calcium based on AIN-93M purified diet. Rats were housed in 12 hours light-dark cycle, 22-25°C room temperature with free access to their respective diets. At the end of the experiment, rats were decapitated and carcass fat content, carcass ash content and mean adipocyte size in testis, peritoneal and subcutaneous fat pads were compared in three groups. The SPSS 11.5 was used as statistical software, running analysis of variance for comparing the effects. weight gain, carcass fat content and adipocyte size, in groups were not significantly different, while serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in high calcium group was significantly lower than low calcium group [p<0.05] and insignificantly lower than usual calcium group [12.36, 23.57 and 42.2 pg/dl respectively]. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol were also insignificantly lower in high calcium group. Our findings suggested that physiological concentration of dietary calcium is not effective on weight gain, body fatness and adipocyte size. Relatively equal fat content; beside significant difference in serum parathyroid hormone levels is against the parathyroid theory of calcium effects on body fatness. Finally we do not suggest any effect for calcium on body fatness and adipocyte size

[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

[The most important factors affecting anthropometric indices in newborns of Bojnord in 2001]

Identifying factors influencing infants' anthroponmetric indices is very important in improving maternal and neonatal health levels. The present analytical discriptive study has been done to determine the significant factors affecting the nutritional status of infants in Bojnord. In this servey done in 2001 a total number of 566 infants and their mothers were studied. The independent variables included gender of infant, the intrauterine age of infant, birth rank, interval of last delivery, history of abortion or stillbirth, disired or undesired pregnancy, age of mother, mother's weight near delivery time, mother's height, pregnancy awareness time, mother's nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice during the pregnancy, residency area of family, number of family members, and occupation and educational status of parents. The dependent variables included weight for age, height for age, weight for height, and head circumference for age. The most important factors affecting infants' nutritional status were maternal variables. Data gathered by using observation and interview and invariable analysis methods were used to study the effect of independent variables on body measurements. The simultaneous effect of these variables on infant's nutritional status was studied through doing some multivariable analyses and using the Regression Logistic Model. Results showed that despite the simultaneous effect of variables impacting on nutritional status of weight for age, mother's height has the most significant effect on this parameter [P=0.033], in a way that the odds ratio of malnutrition of weight for age in infants whose mothers are less than 150 cm high is 5.5 times more than those whose mothers are 150 cm high or more. Furthermore, the variables of mother's weight in delivery time [P=0.037] and mother's nutritional attitude [P=0.044] on malnutrition of height for age, variables of infant's gender [P=0.004] and nutritional practice of mother [P=0.03] on malnutrition of weight for height, variables of mother's height [P=0.014] and mother's age [P= 0.006] on malnutrition of head circumference for infant's age had the most significant effects