Effects of Zataria oxymel on obesity, insulin resistance and lipid profile: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Obesity is a major public health problem and its occurrence is markedly increasing in developed and developing countries. However, few studies have investigated the use of natural products to treat obesity. The effects of taking a combination of oxymel and Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM), herein referred to as Zataria oxymel (ZO), on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance have not yet been studied.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluates the effects of oxymel and ZO on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS@#In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial, overweight patients were randomly divided into three groups and received doses of study compounds twice per day for twelve weeks. Group A received 0.75 g ZM in 10 mL oxymel in each treatment; group B received 1.5 g ZM in 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment and group C (control) only received 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference, were measured at the time of registration. Blood tests were carried out at the beginning and once again at end of the study. Blood parameters included fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase). Serum creatinine was also measured at the beginning of the project and in monthly intervals for three months. The homeostasis model assessment index was calculated as fasting insulin (μIU/mL) × FBS (mg/dL)/405.@*RESULTS@#The results showed that patients receiving ZO experienced significant reduction in waist circumference in groups A, B and C, respectively (P < 0.001) but no significant change in BMI. Group A also experienced reduction in hip circumference (P = 0.01). Groups B and C had reduction in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively), with no significant reduction in FBS. No effect on lipid profile, liver enzymes or serum creatinine was observed in the three groups.@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, treatment with ZO and oxymel reduced insulin resistance, and waist and hip circumferences in overweight patients. Nonetheless, the traditional Persian use of ZO as a beverage to improve the anthropometric indices in overweight individuals still requires further research with a larger sample size.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code IRCT20171220037976N1.

Effects of Zataria oxymel on obesity, insulin resistance and lipid profile: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Obesity is a major public health problem and its occurrence is markedly increasing in developed and developing countries. However, few studies have investigated the use of natural products to treat obesity. The effects of taking a combination of oxymel and Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM), herein referred to as Zataria oxymel (ZO), on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance have not yet been studied.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluates the effects of oxymel and ZO on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS@#In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial, overweight patients were randomly divided into three groups and received doses of study compounds twice per day for twelve weeks. Group A received 0.75 g ZM in 10 mL oxymel in each treatment; group B received 1.5 g ZM in 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment and group C (control) only received 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference, were measured at the time of registration. Blood tests were carried out at the beginning and once again at end of the study. Blood parameters included fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase). Serum creatinine was also measured at the beginning of the project and in monthly intervals for three months. The homeostasis model assessment index was calculated as fasting insulin (μIU/mL) × FBS (mg/dL)/405.@*RESULTS@#The results showed that patients receiving ZO experienced significant reduction in waist circumference in groups A, B and C, respectively (P < 0.001) but no significant change in BMI. Group A also experienced reduction in hip circumference (P = 0.01). Groups B and C had reduction in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively), with no significant reduction in FBS. No effect on lipid profile, liver enzymes or serum creatinine was observed in the three groups.@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, treatment with ZO and oxymel reduced insulin resistance, and waist and hip circumferences in overweight patients. Nonetheless, the traditional Persian use of ZO as a beverage to improve the anthropometric indices in overweight individuals still requires further research with a larger sample size.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code IRCT20171220037976N1.

Correlation between aortic valve sclerosis and coronary artery disease: a cross - sectional study

Aortic valve sclerosis considered as a manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis. Recent studies demonstrated an association between aortic valve sclerosis and obstructive coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluatethe correlation betweenaortic valve sclerosis andobstructive coronary artery disease and the extent of coronary artery disease in patients hospitalized for chest pain. A total of 230 consecutive patients were referred to the coronary angiography of GhaemMedical Center and were subjected to transthorasic echocardiography for screening of aortic valve sclerosis and coronary risk assessment. The diagnostic value of obstructive coronary artery disease for aortic valve sclerosis was calculated. The patients with obstructive coronary artery disease had a higher prevalence of aortic valve sclerosis compared to those with no coronary artery disease [P< 0.05]. Aortic valve sclerosis was an independent predictor for obstructive coronary artery disease by multivariate analysis [P< 0.05]. Aortic valve sclerosis had sensitivity of 47% and specificity of 79% and positive predictor value of 92%. Aortic valve sclerosis was an independent predictor for obstructive coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain and was strongly interrelated with the extent of coronary artery disease in these patients

Crocin alleviates the local paw edema induced by histamine in rats

Crocin, as an active constituent of saffron, has many biological functions including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of crocin and chlorpheniramine on local edema induced by histamine. Local edema was induced by subcutaneous injection of histamine [100 micro l, 0.1%] in ventral surface of right hind paw. The thickness of paw was measured at 1 h before and 1, 2, 3 h after injection of histamine, using a fine caliper. The number of neutrophils in paw tissue sections was counted 3 h after intraplantar injection of histamine. Intraperitoneal injection of crocin at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg and chlorpheniramine at a dose of 10 mg/kg significantly [p<0.05] decreased both paw thickness and infiltration of neutrophils in paw tissues. In a combined treatment, intraperitoneal injection of an effective dose of crocin [100 mg/kg] with an ineffective dose of chlorpheniramine [2.5 mg/kg] produced a more documented response in comparison with crocin [100 mg/kg] and chlorpheniramine [2.5 mg/kg] used alone. The results suggested that both crocin and chlorpheniramine suppressed histamineinduced local paw edema. Moreover, histamine H1 receptors function may be affected by crocin

[Evaluation of dobutamin stress echocardiography complications in 500 patients referred to Ghaem hospital]

Coronary artery disease is the first etiology of mortality in Western countries and it was predicted, that up to the year 2010 it would be the main cause of human morbidity. With respect to the increasing frequency of coronary artery disease, proper diagnosis, treatment and prevention of complications have a great importance. Many patients with chest pain could not perform diagnostic ETT, so in this group dobutamin stress echocardiography was a suitable low cost, safe, accessible and exercise independent modality of stress. Regarding the recent usage of dobutamine stress echocardiography in our country and especially in khorasan province, the aim of this descriptive study was to present 500 patients whom referred to Ghaem hospital echocardiography laboratory for ischemic diagnosis or viability assessment or both. This study consisted of 500 patients, 273 males [54.6%], and 227 Females [45.4%], 20-80 years old and also were symptomatic for ischemia. These cases were referred to Ghaem echo lab for ischemia/ viability detection between 1385-1386. Our study Patients had: systemic hypertension [46.8%], hypercholesterolemia [39.8%], diabetes [29.5%], smoking [12.6%], previous MI [11.1%] positive family history 8% CRF [8%] and obesity [5%]. Among patients 345 [69%] were referred for ischemia detection, 132 [26.4%] referred for viability assessment, 23 [4.6%] for both of them, the left ventricular systolic function was normal in 168 [26.8%], mildly abnormal in 25.3%, moderate dysfunction in consideration, 402 patients [80.5%] had no complication and in the other patients [19.5%] test complication were occurred as arrhythmia, PVC, palpitation, vomiting, nausea, rigor and the other mild complications. Dobutamine stress echocardiography is an exercise independent stress modality with good safety and low level of complications