[Effects of standardized extract of ginseng [G115] on biomarkers of systemic low-grade inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind clinical trial]

Systemic Inflammation plays a crutal play in the development of cardiovascular disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of standardized extract of ginseng [G115] in Biomarkers of Systemic Low-Grade Inflammation in patients with Type 2 diabetes. This randomized, double-blind trial was performed on 40 patients with type 2 diabetes [28 females and 12 males] were randomly assigned to two groups. Group one were given 300 mg [3×100 mg capsules] standardized extract of ginseng, while group 2 took placebos. After eight weeks, anthropometric indices, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], interleukin 6 [IL6], tumor necrosis factor [TNFalpha] and high sensitive C- Reactive Protein [hsCRP] were studied. In the present study, no significant differences were observed in anthropometric indices, glycated hemoglobin and TNFalpha in the intervention and placebo groups before and after intervention. At the end of the study, a significant reduction was observed in IL6 [8.43 +/- 1.17 vs. 6.79 +/- 1.39 ng/L] and hsCRP [3.61 +/- 0.49 vs. 3.03 +/- 0.33 mg/dL] in the treatment group. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in IL6 [6.79 +/- 1.39 vs. 7.85 +/- 0.69 ng/L] and hsCRP [3.03 +/- 0.33 vs. 3.49 +/- 0.39 mg/dL] between the intervention and placebo groups at the end of the study. Administration of standardized ginseng extract for eight weeks caused reductions in IL6 and hsCRP in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, administration of standardized extract of ginseng may play an effective role in the management of these patients

[Effect of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress markers following 30 minutes moderate intensity exercise in healthy young women]

There is no convincing evidence about the role of vitamin C in preventing exercise induced oxidative stress. The aim of this double blind randomized controlled trial was to determine the effect of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress, following 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise. Forty-nine healthy, young female university students were randomly assigned into the 500 mg/day vitamin C supplement [n=25] and the placebo [n=24] groups for two weeks. Before supplementation and on the day after the intervention period, fasting blood samples were taken. Then all participants ran [5-6 km/h] for 30 minutes. A third set blood samples were taken at the end of exercise. Plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] and vitamin C were measured with the HPLC method. Plasma total glutathione was measured with the glutathione assay kit. No significant differences were observed in the demographics, vitamin C intakes before intervention between groups at baseline. Plasma MDA levels decreased and plasma total glutathione increased significantly in both groups. No significant differences were observed between groups after exercise. There were significant differences in plasma vitamin C concentrations after intervention and exercise between groups. Vitamin C supplementation [500 mg/day] for two weeks does not affect oxidative stress markers following moderate intensity exercise in healthy young women

[Effects of whey protein supplementation on hematological parameters after resistance exercise in healthy young athletes]

Physical activity causes changes in hematological parameters in athletes which finally result in cessation off their exercises, an issue that should be given attention. There is limited data available about the effects of protein supplements, containing amino acids and other useful substances, on hematological parameters of resistance to exercise in athletes. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of whey protein supplementation, after resistance to exercise in healthy athletes. In this clinical trial, changes of hematological parameters were studied after one month exercise training and whey protein supplementation in 32 healthy volunteers [16 treated cases 16 control placeboes]. Each day, whey protein supplemental 6.6 g/day] and placebo [same dose, starch] were consumed between meals, by the volunteers. Every one exercised with 80% 1RM, basically on stationary circuit principal, for one hour a day, five days a week. Before and after beginning of study, fasting blood specimens were taken and WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, PLT and percent of white blood cells were measured separately. Statistical analyses were carried out using Student t- test and paired t-test [SPSS version 15]. Levels of WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, MCHC in two groups significantly [P<0.05] decreased, but there was no difference between two groups. MCV increased in the groups, but again there was no difference between them. MCH and percent of lymphocytes were unchanged in both groups. In the supplement group, the percentages of the neutrophils and other white blood cells showed no significant changes, but in the placebo group, there were significantly increased and decreased, respectively. However there was no significant difference between the two groups in the percentage of white blood cells, separately. The present study showed that one month of Whey protein supplementation with 6.6 g/day is ineffective on hematological parameters changes after resistance to exercise. Further studies, with different dosages and longer periods of time are recommended

[ efficacy of home walking exercise program on functional performance and quality of life in patients with heart failure]

Dyspnoea and fatigue caused considerable impairment in the functional performance and quality of life in HF patients. The purpose of this study were to determine efficacy of home walking exercise program on functional performance and quality of life in patients with heart failure. This study was qusiexperimental trial that assessed efficacy of home-based exercise program on the functional performance and quality of life in patients with HF in the Ahvaz city [2005]. In this study 60 patients with New York Heart Association [NYHA] class II and III heart failure divided two groups training [n=30] and control [n=30]. Material or measurements was demographic characteristics form, Minnesota quality of life check list and timed exercise program form. Exercise training in the patients would be performed three day per week for 8 weeks. Determination quality of life measures by Minnesota check list would be performed in both the training and control groups at entry and after 8 weeks. Also 6 minute walking tests for determination functional performance would be performed in both groups at entry and after 8 weeks. Ultimately data analysis by SPSS softward. results showed that significant difference existed between mean walking distance on the 6MWT at entry and after 8 weeks in the training group [373.86 to 412.30 m, P<0.05], that no significance was seen between control group [376.79 to 377.63 m]. Also significant difference exists between mean quality of life scores at entry and after 8 weeks in the training group [52.32 to 43.80], that no significance was seen between control group [52.43 to 52.50]. This study showed that home-based exercise program affected on functional performance and quality of life in HF patients. Its accepted. Therefore exercise training can be used as a therapeutic approach in these patients, because not only promotes quality of life but also improve the functional performance