[Evaluation of fragile X syndrome in patients with moderate mental retardation in Rafsanjan city]

Fragile X syndrome [FXS] is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. Patients are identified with different levels of mental disabilities, elongated ears, prominent foreheads and chins, enlarged testes, large skull and obesity. This syndrom is generally associated with a break on X chromosome [Xq27.3], which can be observed in cultured chromosomes in specific culture media at metaphase stage. Prevalence rates of FXS in different ethnic groups have been estimated to be about one per 1500 in males and one per 2500 in females. The aim of this study was to determine FXS prevalence in moderate mental retarded students of Zohreh Shamsaei school in Rafsangan city. Fifty two students with moderate mental retardation [IQ=55-75] who were clinically suspicious to have FXS were screened for fragile X chromosome by using cytogenetic methods. Blood samples were collected and cultured in specific culture media. G-Banding method was used for karyotyping. Patients consisted of 37 males [71.2%] and 15 females [28.8%] with mean age of 12.7 years [ranged 7-17 years] and mean IQ 65.3 [ranged 55-74]. 8.1% of male students and 6.6% of female students were found to have fragile X site at Xq27.3 [in total 7.7%]. The frequencies of fragile X-positive cells in males and females were 8-52% and 12-27%, respectively. The frequency of fragile X positive cases found in this study is equal to that is reported by other investigators who studied the frequency of fragile X syndrome in preselected patients

Study of the effects of raw garlic consumption on the level of lipids and other blood biochemial factors in hyperlipidemic individuals

Hyperlipidemia is one of the famous disorders that can lead to atherosclerosis. Garlic has been considered as one of the blood lipids lowering agents for ages, and various studies have been carried out, some of them confirmed this effect of garlic and some did not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of raw garlic consumption on human blood biochemical factors in hyperlipidemic individuals. This clinical trial was conducted on 30 volunteer individuals with blood cholesterol higher than 245 mg/dl. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical tests. The volunteers consumed 5 g raw garlic twice a day for 42 days. Second fasting blood samples were collected and the individuals did not use any kind of garlic for next 42 days. After that, the third fasting blood samples were collected and the biochemical factors were measured. After 42 days of garlic consumption the mean of blood total cholesterol [p<0.001] triglycerides [p<0.01] and FBS [p<0.01] were reduced significantly, but HDL-C was increased [p<0.001] significantly. Following 42 days of no garlic consumption total cholesterol [p<0.001], triglycerides and FBS [p<0.05] were significantly increased and HDL-C [p<0.01] decreased. Garlic consumption alone can decrease serum lipids, but it cannot be used as the main therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia. Garlic can be used in mild hyperlipidemia or when the patients cannot tolerate the chemical drugs

[Measurement of the serum level of copper, molybdenum and lipids in personnel of copper complex of sarcheshmeh [Kerman]]

Background: Copper [Cu] and molybdenum [Mo] are among the essential trace elements and affect on lipids Metabolism

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the serum levels of Cu and Mo and investigate the connection of these two trace elements and lipids concentration in SCC personnel

Methods: This was an analytical sectional study that was carried out on 3 groups of volunteers [40 in each group]. Group I [case group] consisted of the workers of molybdenum unit that were highly exposed to Cu and Mo. Group II includes the official employees of SCC. Group III, age matched adult men who were living in Rafsanjan city. Fasting blood samples of the volunteers were collected, then serums were separated and the concentration of Mo and Cu were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum cholesterol [Cho], HDL-C and LDL-C were measured in serum by autoanalyzer

Findings: The mean concentration of Mo was significantly higher in group I comparing with group II and III [P<0.001]. The average level of Cu had the same pattern as Mo, but the P value was different between group I and II [P<0.01]. Cho and LDL-C levels in group I were lower than those of group II and III [P<0.001]. while HDL-C was higher in group I than group II and III [P<0.001]

Conclusion: The results suggest that exposure to high amount of Mo and Cu decrease cho and LDL-C along with increasing the level of HDL-C Mo and Cu