[Effect of consumption of tribulus terrestris on serum glucose and lipid levels in diabetic rats]

The effect of Tribulus terrestris [TT] on serum glucose and lipid levels was investigated in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus in rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into control, TT-treated control, diabetic, glibenclamide-treated, and TT-treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, streptozotcin [STZ] was administered [60 mg/Kg]. Meanwhile, TT-treated groups received TT mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 6.25% for 6 weeks. Serum glucose and lipid levels were determined before the study and at the 3 rd and 4 th week after the study. Serum glucose was significantly lower in TT-treated diabetic rats at 3 rd and 6 th weeks as compared to untreated diabetics [p<0.01 and p<0.005, respectively]. In addition, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol showed a significant reduction in TT-treated diabetic rats as compared to untreated diabetics [p<0.05]. On the other hand, HDL-cholesterol level did not change significantly in TT-treated diabetic group as compared to untreated diabetic group. Oral administration of TT has a significant hypoglycemic effect and in long term leads to appropriate changes in serum LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, but does not affect HDL-cholesterol levels in diabetic rats

effect of long-term consumption of Commiphora Mukul feeding on the serum levels of glucose and lipids of diabetic rats

Considering the beneficial anti-lipidemic effects of Commiphora Mukul [CM] [ashwagandha] on metabolism, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of this plant were investigated in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus. Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e. control, CM-treated control, diabetic, and CM-treated diabetic groups. The treatment groups received oral administration of plant-mixed pelleted food [6.25%] for two months. Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL- cholesterol levels were determined before the study, and at 4 and 8th weeks after the experiment The weight loss [%] in CM-treated diabetic rats [7.8 +/- 2.2%] compared to diabetic [29.8 +/- 2.2%] ones showed a significant difference [P < 0.05]. Serum glucose levels in diabetic rats increased significantly, compared to CM-diabetic animals [0.05], and in both groups compared to controls [0.01]. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the diabetic group increased non significantly, but in CM-treated diabetic rats, these levels decreased more significantly. Finally, in CM-treated control and the CM-diabetic animals, mild decrease in LDL and increase in HDL, demonstrateds a suitable HDL/LDL ratio in CM-treated control [24%] and CM-diabetic rats [248%] as compared to controls. Oral chronic administration of CM diminished the weight loss of animals with STZ inducted diabetes [STZ-groups] more significantly. Also, a marked hypoglycemic effect was seen in CM-treated rats. Feeding animals with CM leads to appropriate changes in blood lipid profiles i.e. high ratio of HDL/LDL

Utilization pattern of antibiotics in different wards of Sari Imam Khomeini teaching hospital

Due to an increase in cases of irrational drug prescription and it's health and economic consequences, evaluation of the rational use of drugs seemed necessary. Among drug groups antibiotics are greatly significant. Utilization pattern of antibiotics in different wards of Sari Imam Khomeini teaching hospital in the first half of 2000 and 2005 were reviewed. ATC/DDD [Anatomic, Therapeutic, Chemical/ Defined Daily Dose] methodology was used. Data showed, use of antibiotics jumped from 95.4 DBDs [DDD per patient's bed-days] to 124 DBDs. Distribution of different class of anti-microbial, showed the highest increase in use of vancomycin and clindamycin. Use of cotrimoxazole and aminoglycosides remained fairly unchanged, howerrs consumption of Penicillin G dropped. In year 2005, ICU ward followed by gynecology, were among the University Hospital departments with the highest consumption of antibiotics. Cefazolin was the most prescribed antibiotics during this study. It appears that there is a need for more national drug policities and drug education program for health care professionals. Evaluation of drug distribution in hospitals seems to be necessary

Determination of heavy metals in iranian and imported black tea

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world and contains several essential nutrients, which are beneficial for human health. The contamination of tea leaves by heavy metals may pose a serious threat to human, because they are not biodegradable and remain in environment and pass to food chain. In this study, the concentration of heavy metals of Cd, Pb, Ni, and Al and macro-elements of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry on 30 samples of black tea cultivated in Iran and compared with the results for 30 samples of imported black tea in 2006. The results of analysis showed that the mean level of Al was 699.2 +/- 172.7mg/kg for Iranian and 388.3 +/- 98.3mg/kg for imported black tea. However, the values for Cd, Pb, and Ni were non-detectable. The most abundant nutritive metal was manganese with 155.2-214.2mg/kg and 96.7-332.9mg/kg in Iranian and imported black tea, respectively. The average contents of detectable heavy metals were significantly [p<0.05] higher in Iranian black tea. According to the results of this study, it is justifiable to set maximum residue level for heavy metals in tea, such as Al which appears to be very high in concentration

Effects of touch on O[2] saturation in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome

Approximately, 7% of all newborns weigh less than 1500 gr. 10% - 15% of newborns less than 2500 gr. may develop respiratory distress syndrome. Because of their anatomic, chemical and physiologic immaturity and instability, premature infants are unable to fully modulate extrauterine stressors, a critical challenge for care providers. A wide variety of sensory stimulations has been found to be beneficial for premature infants. This quasi-experimental research was conducted to determine the effects of touch on oxygen saturation of arterial blood in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. Subjects in this clinical trial included 37 affected infants in neonatal intensive care unit of Mofid Pediatric Hospital. An information form and a pulse oxymeter were used for data collection. Validity of the form was measured by content validity. The pulse oxymeter was selected from famous brands to ensure its validity. It was then calibrated for reliability. Data was collected in 3 consecutive days. At first, oxygen saturation was checked and, after 5 minute, the subjects were touched for 5 minutes. O[2] saturation was then checked after 5 and 15 minutes again. Findings showed that oxygen saturations 5 and 15 minutes after touch were more than those of before touch [p<0.01]. However, there was no significant difference between saturations 5 and 15 minutes after touch. There was also no significant difference between saturations over 3 days. Findings suggest that touch can increase O[2] saturation. For nurses working at NICUs, the importance of touch should be emphasized in the care of premature infants. Further research in this regard is warranted

[Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in blood donors who referred to blood transfusion organization of Zahedan]

Background: because of increase in number of side effect that caused by hypovitaminosis D, this study has been done to find out prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in blood donors

Methods and Materials: in this Cross - sectional and descriptive study, we evaluated 183 persons, 163 male [89.07%] and 20 female [10.92%]. The average range of women and men was 17-52y and 17-53y respectively

Results: the results revealed that 8 persons [4.4%] had sever hypo vitaminosis D [vit<25 nmol/l]. 124 persons [67.8%]: mild hypovitaminosis D [vit D=25-62.4nmol/l], 45 persons [24.6%]: normal serum level of vit D [62.5-125 nmol/l] and 6 persons [3.3%] had hyper vitaminosis D [> 125 nmol/l]. Prevalence of hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia in blood donors was 95 persons [51.9%] and 10 persons [5.5%] respectively. Also average serum level of PTH was 32.1 +/-33. 4 pg / ml

Conclusions: the above finding suggests a solid and effective programming for education of people about prevalence and complications of hypovitaminosis D, more effective screaming studies for improving knowledge of individual about prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and related disease in society and necessity of medical health personnel's knowledge about hypovitaminosis D

[Right-sided bochdalek hernia associated with upper limb anomaly]

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a malformation characterized by herniation of the abdominal contents to the thorax through a defect into the diaphragm. When the abdominal organs enter the chest through such a defect, lung development may be impeded, the heart may be displaced and the vascular structures may be distorted. These alterations cause pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertention and cardiac abnormalities resulting in neonatal mortality and morbidity. In this article, we report a right-sided Bochdalek hernia associated with upper exterimity anomalies in a newborn infant with a gestational age of 32 weeks. He died one hour after birth due to respiratory distress. Gross examination revealed hernaition of the liver, small and large intestines into the thorax through a 6 by 6 centimeter foramen in the right hemidiaphragm. Upper exterimity abnormalities included radial deviation of both wrists and internal rotation of left hand

Iron status and socioeconomic determinants of the quantity and quality of dietary iron in a group of rural Iranian women

Iron intake and status were investigated in 471 mothers [age range: 16-53 years] from rural areas in Khorramabad, Islamic Republic of Iran. Although average total iron intake was acceptable, only 6.4% of women derived at least 4% of their total intake from animal iron. Average energy and protein intakes were inadequate. Low iron status was seen in 8.2%-28.7%, depending on the parameter used, with 28.3% experiencing iron-deficiency anaemia. Significantly higher animal iron intakes were found in literate or employed women, or those of family size fewer than six people. Increasing employment opportunities, income levels and literacy rates for women will result in better iron intake and status and should receive particular attention in national planning

Urinary excretion of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in man - effect of diuretics

A body of evidence suggests that potent diuretics may exert their effects by interfering with renal cAMP turnover. However, the urinary excretion of cAMP accompanying diuretic action does not change consistently in animals. Cyclic AMP excretion rates following the administration of frusemide, piretanide [a new loop diuretic] or placebo were studied in eight normal volunteers. Early elevation of cAMP excretion rate after frusemide was associated with increased creatinine excretion. Considering the cAMP/creatinine ratio the only significant change following administration of diuretics was an increased ratio between 30 and 90 min after piretanide alone. Although this "late" elevation of cAMP excretion may not reflect the basic biochemical action of piretanide it points to minor differences between the sites of action of frusemide and piretanide