Comparison between the effects of continuous and intermittent aerobic exercise on weight loss and body fat percentage in overweight and obese women: a randomized controlled trial

Prevalence of obesity and overweightness in different societies is increasing. Role of physical activity in weight loss and also prevention from some chronic diseases has been discussed previously. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two different aerobic exercises [intermittent and continuous exercises] while prescribed with concurrent calorie-restrict diet on the weight loss and body fat of overweight and obese females. Fifteen individuals in intermittent group performed 40 min moderate Intensity exercise in 3 bouts per day for 5 days per week; the 15 participants of continuous group exercised a single 40 min bout per day, 5 days per week. Also, 15 participants were included in control group without exercise program. A self-monitoring calorie-restrict diet was recommended to all participants. The body fat percentage, waist circumference, and also skin fold thickness of all participants were assessed at baseline and 12[th] weeks. The reduction of weight and BMI of participants in intermittent group [-3.33 +/- 1.80 and -1.34 +/- 0.70, respectively] was significantly more than comparable changes in continuous group [-1.23 +/- 1.60 and 0.49 +/- 0.65, respectively] [P = 0.048 and 0.041, respectively]. After the intervention, there was no significant difference between case and controls in terms of body fat percentage, waist circumference, and sum of skin fold thickness. It seems that moderate intensity intermittent exercise for more than 150 min/ week is more efficient than continuous exercise in weight loss of obese and overweight women

[ effects of monounsaturated fatty acid-rich diet on the serum levels of visfatin, insulin and interleukin-6 in overweight women]

Little information is available on the effects of monounsaturated fatty acid-rich [MUFA-rich] diets on the serum adipocytokine levels. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a MUFA-rich diet on the serum levels of insulin, visfatin and IL-6 in overweight women [25.0 >/= BMI

[ effects of green tea extract on serum adiponectin concentration and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]

Adiponectin is a novel adipose tissue-specific adipokine that can increase insulin sensitivity. Many studies have shown anti obesity and anti diabetic effects of green tea consumption. In this study we examined the effects of green tea extract on circulating adiponectin levels and insulin resistance status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]. In this double blind randomized clinical trial 58 type 2 diabetic patients with BMI >/= 25 were recruited from an unselected population from the outpatient clinic of Shariati hospital, Tehran, Iran. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; green tea extract and placebo. All the patients received the capsules for 8 weeks. Laboratory measurements including fasting serum adiponectin, insulin, HOMA-IR, FPG, OGTT, HbA1c and lipid profile and anthropometric were performed before and after the intervention. Nutrient intakes were obtained via 24-hour recall from each patient in three successive days. The data were analyzed using appropriate software. We found a significant effect of green tea extract on increasing the logarithm of serum adiponectin in diabetic patients [0.15 +/- 0.10 micro g/ ml, P<0.05]. A significant independent correlation between the logarithm of serum adiponectin and WHR [Waist to Hip Ratio] was found [P=0.009, t=-2.7]. The consumption of green tea extract had a significant effect in control the levels of HbA1C, weigh and also BMI in green tea group [P<0.05]. The results showed that consumption of green tea extract can be useful in the control of T2DM by increasing the levels of serum adiponectin and controlling the weight, BMI and HbA1C levels in patients with T2DM

[Serum visfatin concentration in patients with metabolic syndrome]

Recent studies indicate that Visfatin, a newly identified adipocytokine, may have potential proinflammatory effects. Since, the relationship between serum visfatin levels and metabolic syndrome [MetS] has not been established, the aim of this study was to explore the association between serum visfatin levels and anthropometric variables and the metabolic syndrome. Thirty-seven patients with MetS and 37 age matched controls [mean age 46.35 +/- 1.6 years] were included. Metabolic syndrome in patients was defined based on the 2005 criteria of the International Diabetes Federation, and anthropometric and biochemical profiles were documented. Serum Visfatin was measured using an enzyme immunoassay [EIA] kit. Using the t-test, data were compared between groups and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between continuous variables. P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Serum Visfatin level was significantly lower in metabolic syndrome patients [P<0. 05] compared controls, log visfatin: 1.74 +/- 0.27 nanogram/ml vs. 1.86 +/- 0.13 nanogram/ml, respectively. There was no significant correlation between serum visfatin levels and any anthropometric or any metabolic parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome or the control group. The results of this study showed that serum visfatin level was decreased in patients with MetS, indicating that Visfatin cannot be considered as a new proinflammatory adipocytokine for the metabolic syndrome

[Usefullness of honey from the Islamic point of view and evaluation of its effects cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds in Balb/c rats; invitro]

Honey has been one of the most complete and a delicious edible since ages and there has been a special consideration towards it in Islam. In the Holy Quran, there is a full chapter named [The Bee [Nahl]]and there is a verse in it as follows: [And your lord revealed to the bee saying make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they build, then eat of all of fruits and walk in the ways of your lord submissively. There comes forth from within it a beverage of many colors, in which there is healing for men, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect.] [2] Honey has been used traditionally in medicine throughout history, for healing chronic wounds resistant to antibiotics and various kinds of burns. Because honey has low humidity, high osmotic pressure and pH, it causes stasis of growth of infectious agents and a sterile layer on sorts. A former survey showed that honey contains 20 types of sugars, 8 types of vitamins, 11 types of mineral substances,16 types of amino acids, a large of enzymes and so on. In this study we surveyed the properties of honey from the Islamic point of view and its effects on cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds in BALB/c rats in the laboratory. Sufficient natural honey from Golpayegan, a city in Isfahan province renown for its natural, good quality honey and ointment Paramo-U [made in Iran] were obtained. 30 BALB/c mice were infected with the parasiteLeishmania[L]major[MRHO/IR/75/ER] [Parasitology Dept on Faculty Medicine in Tarbiat Modares University]. They were divided into three groups Honey study group, Negative and Positive groups and as soon as the Leishmania lesion was obvious, weight of the mice and size of the lesion were measured in all by using Scale and Coliss[Mettler,Switzerland]weekly until the death of the last mouse in the Negative control group. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. The mean weight of the mice that received honey was not significantly different from the mean weight of the mice in the negative and positive groups. [p>0.05]. But the mean wound size in the mice that received honey was significantly different from the mean wound measurement in the negative and positive controls groups [p=0.0001]. When BALB/c mice are infected with Rural Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Leishmania[L] major [MRHO/IR/75/ER], it results in gradual loss of weight and increase in the size of the cutaneous lesion. If not treated, it develops into visceral leishmaniasis and ultimately death of the animal. Use of honey did not affect the weight significantly, but showed a significant decrease in the size of the lesions