Hypouricemic and antioxidant activities of Allium cepa Lilliaceae and quercetin in normal and hyperuricemic rats

To evaluate the hypouricemic and antioxidant effects of Allium cepa Lilliaceae [Allium cepa L.] and quercetin in normal and hyperuricemic rats. The following study was conducted in the Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Tehran University of Medical Science, Iran, between May 2007 and March 2008. A total of 48 male Wistar rats [body weights: 180-200 g] were randomly divided into 8 equal groups including normal; normal + Allium cepa L. [5g/kg]; normal + quercetin [5mg/kg]; normal + allopurinol [5mg/kg]; hyperuricemic; hyperuricemic + Allium cepa L. [5g/kg]; hyperuricemic + quercetin [5mg/kg]; hyperuricemic + allopurinol [5mg/kg] once a day for 14 days. Experimentally, hyperuricemia in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate [250mg/kg]. Allium cepa L. and quercetin treatments for 14 days significantly reduced [p=0.000] the serum uric acid levels of hyperuricemic rats in a time-dependent manner. All treatments significantly inhibited hepatic xanthine oxidase/xanthine dehydrogenase activity. Allium cepa L. and quercetin treatments led also to a significant improvement in biomarkers of oxidative stress in hyperuricemic rats [p=0.000]. Although the hypouricemic effect of allopurinol was much higher than that of Allium cepa L. and quercetin, it could not significantly change oxidative stress biomarkers. These results may be responsible partly for the beneficial effects of Allium cepa L. and its major flavonoid on hyperuricemia and oxidative stress

Dietary intake and serum bone related chemistry and their correlations in postmenopausal Iranian women

To determine dietary intake and bone related chemistry of osteoporosis and their correlations in postmenopausal Iranian women. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 58 healthy Iranian, postmenopausal women from January 2005 until August 2006, at Sina Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase were measured using auto analyzer and parathyroid hormone [PTH] by immune radio metric assay. Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day dietary record. Bone mineral density [BMD] was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] at the lumbar spine and left femur. Comparison between means of the groups was carried out using one-way analysis of variance test. To examine the correlation between dietary factors and bone related chemistry markers, multiple and linear regression was used. According to the results of lumbar spine BMD, women [n=58] were classified into 3 groups: normal [n=18], osteopenia [n=22], and osteoporosis [n=18]. The mean serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase in 3 groups were in the normal range. Serum PTH in the osteoporosis group was higher than other groups. The mean dietary calcium intake in the osteoporosis groups was significantly lower than the normal group [p=0.01]. The results of analyzing by linear regression, showed a significant correlation between calcium intake and PTH [r=-0.61, p=0.0001, B=-0.032]. These findings suggest that postmenopausal women need to be educated regarding osteoporosis and the related preventive measures, such as the effect of nutrients on bone health, and the adequate intake of dairy products and calcium rich-foods