Survey of synergistic effect of L-carnitine with glutamine on body composition and dietary intake in soccer players: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial

Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of L-carnitine and glutamine and their synergistic effects on male soccer athletes

Methods: 28 male soccer players [21.1 +/- 0.7 y] were enrolled in a randomized pre and post intervention, double-blind design. Before the intervention, their performances were assessed by Bruce protocol, and their body composition was measured with the body composition analyzer. Then, athletes were randomly allocated into four groups: 2 g L-glutamine, 2 g L-carnitine, 2 g L-carnitine + 2 g L-glutamine and placebo. Supplements were prescribed for 21 days and after three weeks, athletes' performances and body composition were re-evaluated

Results: The results showed that body weight, body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and dietary intake made no significant changes in different groups of athletes. In between groups comparison, results did not significantly change in any performance indices. However, in L-carnitine supplement group, the results of pre and post intervention showed that the running distance and maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] increased significantly while the subjective sense of fatigue decreased significantly

Conclusions: Based on our findings, a three-week prescription of separateor combined glutamine and L-carnitine, had no effects on body composition or dietary intake in soccer players. But, the athletes' energy intake was more than the one reported in other studies. Although further studies are required to assess these effects on athletic performance

effects of maternal passive smoking on maternal milk lipid

Passive smoking was long overlooked by those in the medical and legal professions as being harmful to one's health, but in recent years the negative effect of passive smoking has come to the fore in the media and laws have been changed so that less people are obliged to unwillingly suffer from passive smoking, particularly in the workplace and in indoor settings. To study the effects of environmental tobacco smoking exposure during the breast-feeding period on maternal milk lipids. This cohort study was conducted on 45 mothers environmental tobacco smoking exposure and 40 non-exposed post-partum mothers referred to the Shahid Ayat health center, Tehran, Iran. Socioeconomic conditions and the demographic characteristics of exposed and non-exposed groups were recorded. Milk samples were collected twice- at baseline [5-7 days after delivery] and four months after delivery. The samples were reserved at -20°C until assay. Milk lipids including cholesterol, triglyceride [TG], high density lipoprotein [HDL] and low density lipoprotein [LDL] were evaluated. Dietary intake assessment was performed by means of the 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire both times. Maternal occupation status and education levels were significantly different between the two groups. Lipids profiles of milk were significantly higher 5-7 days after delivery in the non-exposed group and four months after delivery. Dietary intake was not significantly different between the two groups. Maternal environmental tobacco smoking exposure affects milk lipids which are essential for infant growth

Depression, prevalence and some risk factors in elderly nursing homes in Tehran, Iran

The most common geriatric psychiatric disorder is depression, known to be a multi factorial disorder. However, the influence of common preventable factors is yet to be discovered. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of depression and some possible risk factors in elderly residents of nursing homes in Iran. Data on demographic characteristics, nutritional and health status of 244 residents aged 60 years or older were collected from seventeen nursing homes in Tehran, Iran, during 2010 to 2012. Depression was assessed and classified according to the 15-item GDS. Univariate and then multivariate complex sample survey ordinal regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between depression and the risk factors. The average age of the 244 cases studied was 75.8 [ +/- 8.7] years, 53.3% were female [of whom 74.2% were housewives], 43.4% illiterate, and 32.0% were divorced or were living separately. The percentages of non-depressed, mild, moderate and severe depression were 9.8%, 50.0%, 29.5% and 10.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that dissatisfaction with personnel of nursing homes and food quality had odds ratios of 2.91 [1.33-6.36] and 2.64 [1.44-4.87], corresponding to greater odds of having a higher grade depression. Moreover, those who rested or walked had significantly higher risk of a more severe depression in comparison with those who did not [OR of 2.25 [1.50-3.38] and 1.98 [1.24-3.18], respectively], however, studying had a protective odds ratio of 0.17 [0.13-0.22]. Depression was very common in our sample and their lifestyle influenced its prevalence

[ epidemiology of obesity and underweight and their associations with physical activity and diet patterns among 12-14 years-old adolescent boys in Sabzevar, Iran]

To determine the prevalence of obesity, underweight and their associations with physical activity and diet patterns among 12-14 year old adolescent boys in Sabzevar, Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed on 650 boy students aged 12-14 years in Sabzevar [2009]. Subjects were selected via random Sampling. Underweight, overweight and obesity was defined based on the 5th, 85th and 95th percentiles of body mass index [BMI] for age and sex, respectively, as proposed by CDC 2000. Physical activity levels were assessed by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children [PAQ-C]. Dietary intakes [energy intake and macronutrient] were assessed by means of a food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]. Sedentary behaviors and socioeconomic status of subjects assessed by means of a designed questionnaire. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.8% and 7.1%, respectively. Also prevalence of underweight was 11.1%. Physical activity levels were significantly lower [P<0.01] in overweight-obese subjects than normal-weight and underweight subjects. Television viewing were higher [P<0.05] in overweight-obese subjects than normal-weight subjects. There was no statistically significant different in the reported energy intake and macronutrient between overweight-obese and non-overweight subjects. After adjusting for body weight and BMI, the overweight-obese subjects had the lowest energy intake [P<0.01]. Overweight-obese subjects were less likely to eat breakfast than non-overweight [P<0.05]. There was significant positive correlation between education level of parents and BMI of subjects. Education level of parents was significantly higher in overweight-obese subjects than normal-weight subjects. These data indicate that prevalence overweight and obesity is relatively high among 12-14 year-old adolescent boys in Sabzevar. The findings suggested that a decrease in physical activity levels and increase in sedentary behaviors [television viewing and not using computer] are related with obesity and overweight, but not diet pattern

Plasma iron is associated with lipid peroxidation in women

It has been suggested that the risk of coronary heart disease increases with increase of body iron stores. Free iron catalyzes the generation of free radicals and free radicals promote the oxidation of lipids. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association of plasma iron and factors that could affect its levels [antioxidant enzymes], with the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] as a marker of lipid peroxidation. In this study, 160 women aged 20-45 years were randomly selected. A medical history was obtained for each subject prior to enrolment. We assessed lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidant enzymes by measuring the concentration of plasma MDA and the activities of erythrocyte copper zinc superoxide dismutase [CuZn-SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPX]. Our results show that those in the highest tertile of plasma iron were at least twice as likely to have higher plasma MDA levels. Among the factors affecting plasma iron levels, we found that the upper tertile of erythrocyte CuZn-SOD was inversely associated with higher plasma iron. No associations were found between the highest TIBC and MDA levels. There was no significant association between GPX and plasma iron. These findings support the concept that iron, as an important transition metal, might contribute to atherogenesis, along with the classic risk factors. A longitudinal study should confirm whether or not these MDA levels are connected to vascular disease and mortality