[ effects of virgin olive oil-rich diet on fasting serum glucose and lipid profile in non alcoholic fatty liver patients with weight loss diet]

Metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance are associated with progression of non alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] and can lead to cardiovascular problems, the most common cause of death in these patients. The amount and composition of dietary fat are influential factors for blood lipid and glucose levels. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of virgin olive oil on serum lipid and glucose levels in the NAFLD patients on weight loss diets. This 12 week-clinical trial was carried out on 50 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver]. Subjects were randomly assigned into groups A [receiving the equivalent of 20% of total daily energy requirement from olive oil] or B [receiving their normal consumption of oil. At the beginning and end of the study, dietary intakes, anthropometric parameters, fasting plasma glucose and lipid levels were measured. At the end of the study, as compared to commonly used oil, olive oil resulted in significant reductions of serum triglycerides [P<0.05], and TG/HDL-C ratio [identified as an atherogenic index and a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease risk] [P<0.05]. Consuming a diet rich in virgin olive oil along with a slight weight loss in NAFLD patients, can be effective in the treatment and prevention of the consequences of cardiovascular complications of this disease

[Prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and hypertension in 10-13 years old children of governmental and non-governmental elementary school in some regions of Tehran in 1390 year]

Obesity and hypertension disorders affect whole body and are associated with most diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Children with obesity and high blood pressure are prone to adulthood health problems. Yet most parents are unaware of their child obesity and high blood pressure. This 2011 study, included 1184 boys and girls aged 10-13 years old from five districts of Tehran. Overweight and obesity were diagnosed by the International Obesity Task Force [IOTF] criteria. Also, systolic or diastolic blood pressure >/= 95 for age, height and gender were considered as hypertensive. Waist circumference according to the standard Iranian cut off for children was assessed on the basis of age, gender. Waist circumference > 90 percentile was considered as abdominal obesity. Prevalences of overweight, obesity, hypertension and abdominal obesity were 21.92, 5.28, 13.16 and 25.31% respectively. The highest prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity reported in District 3, which is north of Tehran and the lowest was related to boys from region 19 of southern Tehran. Economic conditions can affect obesity and hypertension disorders and more attention must be paid to obesity and hypertension in particular, to creat awarences in parents for changes in lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity these children

[ effects of cashew consumption on serum glucose, insulin and lipoprotein in type 2 diabetic patients]

Diabetic dyslipidemia is a complication of diabetes and several studies have demonstrated that nut consumption exerts beneficial effects on serum lipid profile. We designed an intervention study to evaluate the effects of cashew on fasting serum glucose, insulin and lipoprotein in type 2 diabetic patients. In an 8 week randomized parallel clinical trial, 50 diabetic patients [34 women and 16 men] were randomly assigned to two groups] the intervention [cashew] and the control [regular diet] groups. Cashews replaced 10% of total daily calorie intake in the intervention group. Blood samples were collected from fasting subjects at entry to the study and at the end of the study. All dietary data were obtained using 24-hours recalls at baseline, in the middle and at the end of the study. Mean HDL-C and insulin concentrations were statistically different between the intervention and control groups [P=0.01, P=0.023, P=0.043 and P=0.023 respectively], while other biochemical indices such as serum glucose and other lipoproteins, were not. The results indicated that replacing 10% of daily calorie intake with cashew in patients with type 2 diabetes may prevent HDL-C reduction and also decrease serum insulin, and hence possibly play an important role in decreasing cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients

[Comparison of the effects of canola oil with sunflower oil on blood pressure, lipid profile, apoproteins, lipoprotein[a], total antioxidant capacity, and CRP in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women]

Substituting dietary saturated fatty acid [SFA] with monounsaturated fatty acids [MUFA] and polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA], especially omega-3 fatty acids, both found in canola oil, can reduce the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of canola oil with sunflower oil on blood pressure, lipid profile, apoproteins, lipoprotein[a], total antioxidant capacity, and CRP in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women. We performed a double-blind randomized clinical trial on 44 hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women randomly divided into two groups receiving, daily for 8 weeks, either 30gr of canola oil or 30gr of sunflower oil. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after intervention and analyzed for serum triglyceride [TG], total cholesterol [TC], LDL-c, HDL-c, lipoprotein a [Lp[a]], apoproteinB [APOB], apoprotein A-I[APOA-I]? CRP, and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also measured and compared between the 2 groups at baseline and after intervention. There was a statistically significant decrease in diastolic pressure in the canola group, as compared to sunflower group, at the end of the period. The treatment also brought about a significant increase in HDL-c and significant decreases in the systolic blood pressure and TG/HDL-c in the canola group, whereas in the sunflower group mean serum LDL-c, TAC, and ApoB decreased significantly. The levels of ApoA-I, TC/HDL-c, and LDL-c/HDL-c decreased significantly in both groups. Further analysis of the data showed that there were no significant differences in Lp[a], CRP, and TAC between the two groups at the end of study. As compared to sunflower oil, canola oil has more desirable effects on diastolic blood pressure in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women

[Dietary intake in people with spinal cord injury based on sex, obesity and injury related variable in brain and spinal injury repair research center]

Despite an increased risk of obesity and CHD in people with spinal cord injury [SCI], there is little known about the dietary intake in this group, therefore the aim of this study was to examine nutrient intake and body mass index [BMI] in the spinal cord injury [SCI] population according to level of injury and related variables. In this cross-sectional study, 162 patients with spinal cord injury participated from Brain and Spinal Injury Repair research Center, Tehran, Iran. Dietary intakes were assessed by means of a semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The mean age of study population was 34.1 +/- 0.6 years. Total energy and carbohydrate intake were higher in men than women [P<0.001]. Incomplete injured consumed more MUFA [P=0.03]. The elderly were consumed less total calorie, saturated fat, MUFA, cholesterol [P<0.01] and PUFA [P<0.05]. Injured patients with longer times had lower total calorie, carbohydrate [P<0.01], total fat and MUFA intake [P<0.05]. Based on new classification 60.5% were at the risk of obesity or obese. Central obesity was seen in 33.1%of man and 48.4% of women. BMI of the paraplegia group was greater than that of the tetraplegia group [P=0.009]. Macronutrients balance is moved towards higher saturated fat intake and less complex carbohydrates and protein intake in SCI patient's. The elderly and patients who had lived with SCI longer time tended to maintain healthier diets

[ correlation between waist-circumference, BMI and conicity and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women]

Changes in body fat distribution during menopause lead to increasing risk of cardiac and metabolic diseases. Considering the importance of predicting of cardiovascular diseases using related anthropometric indices, the aim of this study was to determine the correlation of waist circumference[WC], BMI and Conicity with cardiovascular risk factors [serum glucose, insulin[diabetes], blood pressure[BP] and dyslipidaemia]. In a cross-sectional study, 250 non-smoking postmenopausal women, with BMI<30 were randomly selected. We measured WC, BMI and conicity and a 3 day food dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire were completed for each participant. Fasting serum glucose, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C and insulin were measured. There were significant correlations between WC and systolic BP[r=0.255, p=0.002], WC and conicity [r=0.67,p=0.0001], BMI and conicity[r=0.31, p=0.0001], conicity and systolic BP[r=0.31, p=0.009] and BMI systolic BP[r=0.21,p=0.009]. There were also significant correlations between systolic BP and diastolic BP[p=0.002], serum insulin and systolic BP[r=0.21,p=0.008] and serum total cholesterol with systolic BP[r=0.2,p=0.13]. Waist circumference was significantly associated with systolic BP and diabetes, BMI had a significant association with systolic BP and Conicity was significantly associated with systolic BP, serum triglycerides and glucose, but not with diabetes

[Effects of apple consumption on lipid profile among hyperlipidemic and over weight men]

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of apple consumption on lipid profiles among hyperlipidemic and overweight men. We performed an experimental study on 46 hyperlipidemic men, aged between 30-50 years[TC=200-240 mg/dl, TG=150-350 mg/dl], randomly divided into two [apple and control] groups. The apple group [23 subjects] received 300 gr of whole apples per day [Golden Delicious] for 8 weeks, while controls [23 subjects] had the regular dietary pattern for the same period of time. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after intervention and analyzed for serum TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL, Apo[B], Lp[a] and LDL/HDL levels. Before study, education level and family size were compared. Before and after intervention, physical activity and dietary intake were compared between the two groups. Both total polyphenol and the total fiber consumed in apples were measured. Total polyphenol and total fiber intakes were 485 mg/kg fresh apple and 4.03 gr/100 gr of fresh apple, respectively. After 8 weeks, mean differences in TG and VLDL concentrations increased statistically in the apple group compared to the control group, but, no significant differences were observed in the TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo[B], Lp[a] and LDL/HDL levels, between two groups. Consumption of Golden Delicious apples seemed to increase serum TG and VLDL concentrations in hyperlipidemic men. More studies are needed to investigate the effect of Golden delicious apple on serum TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo[B], Lp[a] and LDL/HDL concentrations

effects of calcium supplement on serum lipoprotein in obese adults receiving energy restricted diet

Coronary heart disease is one of the most important problems of public health. One risk factor is dyslipidemia. Evidence from molecular and animal research and epidemiologic investigations indicate that calcium intake may influence lipid metabolism.But intervention studies have produced conflicting results.Objective of this study was to determine the effects of calcium supplementation on serum lipid profiles in the face of caloric restriction in obese adults. A double blind randomized placebo-controlled trial on 40 adults with Body Mass Index [BMI]>25kg/m[2] was conducted in Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2006.Subjects were maintained for 24 weeks on a balanced deficit diet [-500 kcal/d deficit] and randomly assigned to two groups with 1000 mg ca/d as calcium carbonate, or placebo. A General Linear Model was used for the analyses. There were no significant differences in variables at the 12th and 24th week between the two groups [P> 0.015]. But the total cholesterol, LDL-C decreased significantly at the 12th and 24th week in the two groups compared to the initial values [P< 0.05]. Ratios of TC/HDL-C,TC/LDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C decreased significantly at the 12th and 24th week compareddto baseline only in the calcium group [P< 0.05]. Similarly, TG and VLDL-C decreased significantly at the 24th week compared to baseline only in the calcium group [P< 0.05]. Twenty four weeks of supplementation with 1000 mg ca/d did not have any effect on serum lipoprotein beyond what can be achieved in an energy restricted diet in obese adults.Therefore further investigations is a necessity

Assessment of nutritional status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is considered a major public health problem in the world. Weight loss, muscle and fat mass depletion are common nutritional problems in COPD patients and are determinant factor in pulmonary function, health status, disability and mortality. In the present study, we assessed nutritional status in COPD patients. This cross-sectional study was performed in the Rasul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran on 63 COPD patients with mean age [SD] of 67.6 [9.4] years. All subjects were diagnosed by a pulmonary specialist and based on a spirometry test. They were divided into three groups [2,3, 4 stages of disease]. Anthropometric and biochemical indices, body composition analyses were performed using the SPSS 14. All data presented as means [ +/- sd]. Reduction of body mass index [BMI], Mid-Arm Muscle Circumference [MAMC] and Fat-Free Mass [FFM] were observed alongside and increase in disease severity but it was not significant. Significant reduction of Fat Mass [FM] [P=0.007], Fat Mass Index [FMI] [P=0.03] and biochemical indices like Albumin [P=0.000] and Total Protein [P=0.04] were associated with an increase in disease stages. It is suggested that in addition to BMI, other nutritional status indices like MAMC, FFM and FM should be used for early diagnosis of malnutrition before weight loss occurs

effects of vitamin E on insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases risk factors in metabolic syndrome

Syndrome X or metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors which can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and result in death. Considering the important role of oxidative stress in causing the complications of this syndrome, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on insulin resistance and associated risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial with parallel design was conducted on 70 metabolic syndrome patients, 29-57 years old, who were randomly divided into two groups one using 400 mg vitamin E [n=35], and group 2- given placebos [n=35] for 3 months 24 hour dietary recalls were completed in the beginning, and end of first, second and third months for each patient. Serum glucose and lipoprotein by enzymatic, Insulin by RIA, uric acid and CRP by colorimetric, insulin resistance by HOMA-IR methods were measured. For statistical analyses, student's t-test, paired t-test, chi square and ANOVA were used. There was significant difference in systolic and also diastolic blood pressure at the end of study in the vitamin E group compared to initial values [p=0.00, p=0.09 respectively]. In this group, systolic blood pressure, serum glucose and triglycerides [TG] had significant decrease at the end of the study compared to the control [p= 0.003, p= 0.02, p= 0.04 respectively]. Serum glucose, TG, insulin and insulin resistance had significant differences in the vitamin E group at the end of study compared to the beginning [p=0.03, p=0.01, p=0.03, p=0.04] Serum TG, glucose and insulin were 221.08 +/- 59.54, 114.07 +/- 9.64, and 8.3 +/- 1.6 at the beginning and 197.65 +/- 56.77, 101.05 +/- 9.7 and 7.48 +/- 1.55, respectively at the end of study. In metabolic syndrome patients, 400 mg vitamin E for 3 months had beneficial effects on blood pressure, TG, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance

[ effects of soy bean on serum homocysteine, Lp[a] and lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women]

Because of undesirable serum lipoprotein profiles, postmenopausal women are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Soy protein may help protect against these risk factors although its effect on homocysteine and Lp [a] is not clear; however, the effects of soy bean in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women has not been assessed independently yet. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of soy bean on serum concentration of homocysteine, Lp[a] and lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women. In a randomised clinical trial with parallel design, 34 hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to group 1 and given 130 g soy bean containing 50 g/d soy protein and 159/9mg isoflavones, while group 2 continued their usual diet for 10 weeks [controls]. Serum lipoproteins, homocysteine and Lp [a] were measured at baseline and after the 10[th] week. There were significant decreases in Lp [a] LDL-c, TC, LDL-c/HDL-c, TG/HDL-c, TC/HDL-c in group 1, as compared to group 2, after ten weeks of study [p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.05 and p<0.05 respectively] at the end of the study. Similarly, Lp[a], homocysteine, LDL-c, TC, LDL-c/HDL-c, TG/HDL-c, TC/HDL were significantly decreased [p<0.01, p<0.05 p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01] at the end of the study, compared with initial values of the soy group. We can conclude that Soy protein reduces CVD risk in postmenopausal women because of both modest reductions in serum lipoproteins and Lp[a] in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women

Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on serum lipids, apolipoproteins and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetes patients

In order to test whether hyperlipidaemia and glycaemic control can be improved among diabetes patients by dietary supplementation with purified omega-3 fatty acids, we carried out a doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial on 50 type 2 diabetes patients randomized to 2 g/day purified omega-3 fatty acids or placebo for 10 weeks. Fasting triglycerides decreased significantly with supplementation relative to placebo [P = 0.01]. There was a significant decrease in ApoB-100 and malondialdehyde compared to baseline values and compared to the control group. Omega-3 fatty acids had no significant effect on serum lipid levels, ApoA-I, glucose, insulin and HbA1[c]

[Effects of purified omega-3 fatty acids in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes]

Omega 3 fatty acid [03FA] consumption has been shown to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. TYPE 2 diabetes confers an adverse cardiovascular risk profile particularly in women after menopause. The aim of this study was to determine whether a dietary supplement with omega 3 fatty acids affected insulin resistance, glycemic control and cardiovascular risk markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. A total of 32 postmenopausal overweight women with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes completed a randomized double blind parallel trial of purified omega 3 fatty acid supplementation [2g/day] versus placebo for 10 weeks. Evaluated were serum triglycerides [TG], HDL-c, total cholesterol [TC] and glucose using the enzymatic method, Insulin by radioimmunoassay and insulin resistance using the Homeostasis Model Assessment method [HOMA-IR] were calculated. Relative to those in the placebo group, TG decreased significantly [P=0.03] in the 03FA group. 03FA supplementation had no significant effect on serum LDL-c, HDL-c, glucose and insulin resistance but there was a significant increase in serum insulin and TC in the 03FA group at the end of study compared to the beginning [P=0.04, P=0.04 respectively]. Intake of 2g 03FA had favorable effects on serum TG and TG/HDL-C, no effect of LDL-C, HDL-C, glucose and insulin resistance but did have an adverse effect on serum insulin and TC. Recommendation of 03FA intake in diabetic postmenopausal women needs further investigation

[Height, height and body mass index of 6-15-year-old school girls in Babol, northern Iran between 1995 to 2002: a comparison with the US 2000 centers for disease control and prevention references]

Since there are no national references for height, weight and body mass index [BMI] or Iranian children, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] 2000 standards are widely used in Iran. An assessment of the suitability of these standards was thought essential. The aim of this study was to compare the growth indices of 6-15-year-old school girls in Babol, Northern Iran, with the CDC 2000 standards. Six hundred and nine healthy 6-15-year-old Babol schoolgirls, selected by the convenience sampling method, were studied retrospectively between 1995 and 2002. The reference percentiles for height, weight and body mass index were calculated using the LMS method [the LMS Light 1.28 software]. After converting the growth data into standard deviation scores [SDS] based on the CDC2000 reference, the mean SDS within and through the age groups was compared with zero using the one sample T-test and SPSS 10.0.1. Statistically significant differences would mean significant differences between the growth indices of the population studied and the CDC2000 reference standards. The mean SDS for height, weight and BMI were -0.2 [SD - 1.00], -0.3 [SD =1.12] and -0.3 [SD =1.09], respectively, all significantly different from zero [p=0.000]. These scores reflect the magnitudes of differences from the CDC2000 references. These differences decreased as age increased and were more prominent in the 6- to 11 -year old girls. In these girls height, weight and BMI SDS were - 0.24 [SD =1.01], -0.48 [SD =1.10] and -0.46 [SD =1.15], respectively [p -0.000]. Growth charts were drawn. The height, weight and BMI values for the population studied were all lower than the corresponding CDC2000 standards. Therefore, the CDC standards are not suitable for use for Babol girls. Considering the nonprobability sampling method used in this study, any generalization should be made with caution. This study supports the idea of developing appropriate local standards for practical use

Comparison of plasma and leukocyte vitamin C status between asthmatic and healthy subjects

In a case-control study the vitamin C status of 50 adults with chronic controlled asthma was compared with that of 50 randomly selected healthy controls. Vitamin C intake was assessed by 3-day dietary recall, and plasma and leukocyte vitamin C concentrations were measured colorimetrically. A positive significant correlation was found between plasma vitamin C and dietary vitamin C intake. Plasma and leukocyte vitamin C levels were significantly lower in the asthma group. Plasma vitamin C was deficient [< 0.4 mg/dL] in significantly more patients than controls [38.0% versus 0%] and leukocyte vitamin C [< 20 micro g/10[8] leukocytes] was deficient in 92.0% of asthmatics versus 8.0% of controls. significant association was observed between duration of asthma and plasma vitamin C level

[ comparison of vitamin C and WBC in asthmatic and normal person]

Background: Vitamin C is a major antioxidant in lung airways and also functions against external insulting oxidant sources such as smoke and environmental contaminants. The aim of study was to assess the vitamin C in asthmatic patients, by it's measurement in plasma and white blood cells [WBC]

Materials and Methods: In a case-control study 50 asthmatic patients and 50 healthy person were randomly selected. The data were obtained by utilizing socioeconomic questionnaire and 24 hour dietary recall. 10 c.c blood samples were drawn. Plasma and WBC vitamin C concentration were measured colorimetrically. The data were analyzed by FPI and SPSS software

Results: The results indicate that 38 percent and 92 percent of patients had deficient plasma and WBC vitamin C concentrations respectively. There was a significant difference in plasma and WBC vitamin C concentrations among patients and control group [P<0.0001] Analysis of regression showed that a significant dependence was observed between the duration of asthma and plasma vitamin C status [P=0.03], though a positive significant correlation was obtained between plasma vitamin C status and dietary vitamin C intake [P=0.0001, r =0.56], The interaction of socioeconomic parameters and vitamin C concentration in asthmatic patients in this study was not significant

Conclusion: Present study indicates that while there is an association between vitamin C status and asthma but WBC vitamin C status is more sensitive in this regard and deserves further study and consideration