Rhus coriaria L. increases serum apolipoprotein-A1 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Lipid-lowering effect of Rhus coriaria L. (Rhus) has been investigated in multiple animal studies with promising results. Nonetheless, its clinical efficacy has not been adequately examined.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of Rhus among patients with hyperlipidemia.</p><p><b>DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS</b>The study was designed as a two-arm, double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, using a parallel design. Eighty patients with primary hyperlipidemia were randomly assigned to receive Rhus capsules or placebo for 6 weeks.</p><p><b>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES</b>The serum lipid levels, apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) and apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B) were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mean serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and Apo-A1 levels were significantly increased in the Rhus group, compared with the placebo group, after 6 weeks of intervention (P = 0.001). The analysis of covariance test including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and smoking as co-variables revealed that the increase in HDL-C and Apo-A1 levels remained significant, and increases in HDL-C were dependent on the increase in Apo-A1 levels. No significant difference was observed between Rhus and placebo groups in terms of mean reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels; however, more significant improvement was observed among obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study showed significant increases in HDL-C and Apo-A1 levels in response to Rhus supplementation in patients with hyperlipidemia.</p><p><b>TRIAL REGISTRATION</b>ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02295293.</p>

Prevalence of fracture in healthy Iranian children aged 9-18 years and associated risk factors; a population based study

To determine the prevalence of fractures and associated risk factors in healthy Iranian children and adolescents

Methods: In this cross sectional population based study, 478 healthy Iranian children and adolescents aged 9-18 years old participated. Baseline data and bone mineral content and density have been determined. One questionnaire was completed for all individuals including previous history of fracture, its location, and level of trauma. Albumin, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and vitamin D levels were measured

Results: We found a prevalence of 12.9% for fracture. [34.5% for girls and 65.5% for boys]; about 71% suffered long bone fracture with distal forearm as the most common site. Totally 58% of the boys and 54% of the girls had fracture with low-energy trauma. The fracture group had lower bone mineral apparent density in the lumbar spine [0.19+/-0.04 vs. 0.20+/-0.03, p=0.04], lower serum albumin [4.6+/-0.5 vs 4.8+/-0.4, p=0.02], and higher serum alkaline phosphatase level [446+/-174 vs. 361+/-188, p=0.02] compared with non-fracture subjects. By logistic regression analysis, we found a significant association for sex, and bone mineral content of the lumbar spine with fracture [p=0.003, p=0.039]

Conclusion: Compared to other studies, our subjects had lower rate of fracture. We found an association between low bone density and fracture in children and adolescents. This finding has important implications for public health. Further research may contribute to recognition of preventive measures

Infection by Cag A positive strains of Helicobacter pylori is associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in Iranian patients

Infectious agents have been suspected as a triggering factor for development of autoimmune thyroid disease [ATD]. Some reports from Western countries have suggested association between Helicobacter pylori [HP] infection and ATD. To investigate the association of ATD with Cag A seropositivity in a population with high rate and early age of onset of HP infection. IgG anti HP and anti Cag A antibodies were measured in 88 patients with ATD and compared with results of 112 healthy individuals. The rate of infection with HP was not significantly different in patient and control groups, but there was significant association between ATD and infection with Cag A strains [p<0.005]. This association was significant for both hypothyroidism [p<0.005] and Graves' disease [p<0.02]. Cag A antibody level correlated with titers of thyroid auto antibodies [p<0.001]. In a population with high rate and early age of onset of HP infection, only infection with Cag A positive strains is associated with ATD, and this may be due to immune cross reactivity

relationship between serum adiponectin levels with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

Adiponectin plays important roles in the endocrine and cardiovascular systems, in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and inflammation. In this study the relationship between adiponectin levels with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease [CAD] is evaluated. This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 213 persons who referred for coronary angiography. One cardiologist reported the results of each coronary angiography by using two scoring systems [number of vessel disease [usual method] and Gensini scoring system]. Then, the relationship between adiponectin levels with the presence and severity of CAD as well as predictive factors for CAD were evaluated. There was a significant negative association between mean serum adiponectin levels and presence of CAD [P - 0.04] after adjustment for all conventional risk factors for CAD. Also there was a significant negative correlation between serum adiponectin levels and severity of CAD based on the usual method for reporting coronary angiograms [P = 0.01]. After adjustment for all conventional risk factors for CAD the serum adiponectin level tended to be inversely associated with the Gensini score [P= 0.09]. Logistic regression analysis showed that a higher serum adiponectin level was negatively and independently associated with CAD [odds ratio: 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.88-1 .00; P < 0.05]. The variables predictive of serum adiponectin levels were determined as follows: HDL-cholesterol [P= 0.001]; age [P- 0.002]; insulin resistance [P = 0.005] and triglycerides [P = 0.036]. This cross-sectional study showed a significant negative association between serum adiponectin levels to the presence and severity of CAD

Concomitant hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal agenesis: a case of Barakat syndrome

Barakat syndrome, also known as hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia syndrome is an extremely rare congenital disorder. Different etiologies are described for the syndrome but the definite pathophysiology remains unclear. Hereby, we present a case of Barakat syndrome who was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and molecular data

[Risk factors of diabetes mellitus in Shiraz city, 2007]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes which is triggered by various factors such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, dietary habits and inheritance. With respect to geographic variation of diabetes prevalence, it is important to know the risk factors regionally. As a case-control study, we looked for important risk factors of diabetes in our region. This study consisted of 400 individuals in case group and 400 individuals in control group. All these anthropometric measurements were calculated by standard methods. Blood samples taken from two groups were studied for TG, FBS, Cholesterol and HbA1c. Data are reported as the Mean +/- SD. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. There was no significant difference between two groups about mean age and sex ratio. Statistically significant difference were found for central obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] and positive family history of diabetes in both groups [P<0.05]. The results showed that central obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, PCOS and positive family history of diabetes are important risk factors of diabetes mellitus in Shiraz. In concordance with the results of this study, screening programme for that risk factor of diabetes in this region is suggested

[Plasma zinc concentration in type 2 diabetic patients and control group in Shiraz city, 2007]

The relationship between diabetes and serum insulin and Zinc [Zn] levels is complex with no clear cause and effect relationships. Since Zn plays a clear role in the synthesis, storage and secretion of insulin as well as conformational integrity of insulin in the hexametric form, the decreased Zn, which affects the ability of the islet cell to produce and secrete insulin, might then compound the problem, particularly in type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the changes of plasma Zn in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy control in Shiraz city. As a case-control study, we determined the serum Zn levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, blood HbA1c levels with columnar chromatographic method and Glucose, by enzymatic colorimetric method in auto analyzer. Data are reported as the Mean +/- SD and P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results of this study revealed that levels of Zn in serum of diabetic patients is lower than in the healthy control in Shiraz city [P<0.05]. With respect to the result of this study, dietary educations about consuming enriched Zn foods such as sea foods and corn in diabetic patients is necessitated

Ketoacidosis as the primary manifestation of acromegaly

Although diabetes mellitus is common in acromegaly, diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA] is rarely reported in this disease. Herein, we reported on a 41-year-old man with acromegaly whose first presentation was DKA. After treatment of acromegaly, his diabetes subsided. We concluded that, even in nondiabetic individuals, a high level of growth hormone can rarely cause DKA