Iron status and metabolic syndrome in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background: A hypothesis has been presented about the role of serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] and resistance to insulin [metabolic syndrome [MetS]], but there is much controversy. This study aimed at investigating the level of serum iron and demographic characteristics in patients with NAFLD with or without MetS

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on patients with elevated liver enzymes referring to Baqiyatallah clinic, Tehran, Iran during 2010-2011. After ruling out other causes of increased aminotransferases and approving the diagnosis of NAFLD, the patients were divided into two groups of with or without MetS. Then, the individuals' demographic, sonographic, and laboratory characteristics were recorded

Results: This research included 299 patients suffering from NAFLD who were divided into MetS [n=143; 47.8%] and non-MetS [n=156; 52.2%] groups. The age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, glucose tolerance test, serum insulin, C. peptide, triglyceride, and HB A1c were different between MetS and non-MetS groups [p<0.05]. There was no significant difference in serum iron and ferritin levels between the two groups, however, a significant correlation was found between serum ferritin and alanine transaminase [p=0.005] and also aspartate aminotransferase [p=0.032]

Conclusion: Our findings did not show a significant relationship between iron, in free or storage form, and the presence of MetS among patients with NAFLD, but serum ferritin can correlate with hepatocytes injuries indicated by raised aminotransferases. Nevertheless, to clarify this relationship further molecular, genomic, and histopathological studies are required

effect of pre-nutrition of hydroalcoholic extract of Origanum vulgare on brain edema and neurologic deficits in a rat stroke model

Background and Aim: Stroke is one of the most important factors of mortality and disability in the world

Free radicals are produced following ischemic stroke and they play a central role in breaking the blood-brain barrier and causing brain edema formation

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of hydro- alcoholic extract of Origanum vulgare on brain edema and neurologic deficit in a rat stroke model

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups. The first two groups [control and Sham] received distilled water, while three treatment groups received oral Origanum vulgare extract for 30days [50,75and 100 mg/kg daily, respectively]

Two hours after the last dose of Origanum vulgare extract, each main group underwent a 60 min middle cerebral artery occlusion. Then, the assessment of blood brain edema, and neurologic deficits analysis were done . Brain edema [brain water content] was analyzed by One-Way ANOVA using LSD method and neurologic deficits analysis by means of Mann-Whitney U, and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level

Results: Origanum vulgare extract reduced brain edema in the experimental groups of 50 [82.49+/-0.47], 75 80.89+/-0.63] and 100 mg/kg/day [80.80+/-0.66] compared to the control group [84.46+/-0.67]. The neurologic deficit scores in the experimental groups of 75 and 100mg/kg/day, compared with control group, but neurologic deficit scores did not affect the group receiving the dose 50 mg/kg

Conclusion: The obtained data indicate that Origanum vulgar extract via reduction of brain edema and neurologic deficits scorescan have a protective effect on the stroke model