ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes Mellitus [DM] is closely associated with reduction of antioxidant defense system. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant effect of quercetin supplementation on the glycemic control, lipid profile and oxidative stress indices in patients with type 2diabetes
Methods: Forty seven patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 30-60 years old, were randomly assigned to supplement their daily diet with either an oral quercetin [250 mg/d] or identical placebo [cellulose] capsules for 8 weeks. The supplements were provided to the patients biweekly. Anthropometric data as well as glycemic indices, lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters of blood samples were determined at the baseline and endpoint of the study
Results: Dietary quercetin supplementation significantly improved the total antioxidant capacity [TAC] in the intervention group, when compared to the placebo group [P=0.043]. It also resulted in a statistically significant reduction in serum concentration of atherogenic oxidized LDL [ox-LDL] [P<0.001]. However, the 8-week supplementation of this natural flavonol neither altered glycemic parameters [FBS, serum insulin and glycosylated Hb [HbA1c] level] nor lipid profile and insulin function measurement in diabetic patients [P>0.05]
Conclusions: Oral quercetin supplementation was beneficial in improving the antioxidant status of patients with type 2 diabetes while having no other significant effect on glycemic control and lipid profile; however, conducting further studies, using different doses, on the glycemiccontrol and/or hyperlipidemia of thepopulation seems to be valuable
ABSTRACT
Background: Although enteral feeding solutions are used to reduce the morbidity and mortality in many malnourished and hospitalized patients, microbial contamination of these products may lead to severe infections, especially in immune suppressed ones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of commercial enteral feedings in two hospital settings in Shiraz
Methods: Twenty commercial enteral feedings were collected immediately after preparation and then homogenized and serially diluted on the same day. MPN methods were used to evaluate the total viable count and Escherichia coli count. They were also tested for total coliform [pour plate method] and the presence of coagulase positive staphylococci. The results were compared with standard limits
Results: All samples had a total viable count lower than 10[4] colony forming units [CFU] per g [the maximum recommended level of FDA standard].For all enteral feedings, coliform counts were not detectable [<10 CFU/g].Escherichia coli counts were also lower than those of Brazilian legislation [<3 CFU/g]. Coagulase positive staphylococci were recovered just from one sample [5%]
Conclusion: Freshly prepared commercial enteral feeding samples h ad a cceptable m icrobial q uality. S uch p roducts are considered to be more acceptable than hospital prepared ones. However, further steps involved in the preparation and administration of commercial feedings can be sources of microbial contamination. Thus implementation of hygienic practices and monitoring procedures during preparation and administration can be suggested