Comparison of the Number of Daily Servings from Different Food Groups in Metabolic Syndrome Patients with the Control Groups.

Aims: This study aimed to compare the number of daily servings intake from different food groups in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients with the control groups. Study Design: Case control, comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Vali-Asr Hospital, and Clinical Nutrition Department, School of nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, from April 2014 to March 2015. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study the number of daily servings intake of seven major food groups including grain, meat, fruit, vegetable, fat and oils, milk and sweets was compared between 50 MetS patients (Group 1) and 50 obese or overweight participants without MetS (Group 2) and 48 normal weight participants without MetS (Group 3). The demographics, anthropometric and biochemical variables were assayed. Feeding and food frequency were collected using a modified food frequency questionnaire. USDA food pyramid was used to classify the food groups. Results: The total and per 1000 kcal daily servings intake from all the aforementioned food groups were significantly different among the study groups (p≤.01). The numbers of daily servings from meat, fruit, vegetable, and milk groups were significantly higher, while, quantity of daily servings by considering fat and oil, sweets and grain groups were significantly lower in the normal weight controls in comparison with the patients suffering from metabolic syndrome and overweight/obese controls, as well (P<.001). No significant difference was noticed by considering all food groups’ consumption between patients with metabolic syndrome and overweight/obese controls (P≥.09). In addition, meat group was categorized to its subgroups including red meat, poultry, fish, tuna, egg, and nuts. The numbers of total and per 1000 kcal of daily servings intake from meat subgroups were respectively higher with regards to nuts, egg, poultry, red meat and fish and tuna subgroup (P≤.07). To illustrate, the normal weight controls had the highest consumption of meat group, which was due to the high intake of nuts, eggs and poultry subgroups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the number of daily servings intake from meat, fruit, vegetable and milk groups were significantly higher, while, fat and oil, sweets and grain groups were significantly lower in the normal weight controls in comparison with the patients with metabolic syndrome and overweight/obese controls. No significant difference was observed among patients with metabolic syndrome and overweight/obese controls.

Amygdalin inhibits angiogenesis in the cultured endothelial cells of diabetic rats.

Background: Angiogenesis contributes to different physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the antiangiogenic effects of amygdalin on the cultured endothelial cells of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were divided into two equal groups of control and amygdalin-treated animals. Eight weeks after the induction of diabetes, amygdalin was injected intraperitoneally (3 mg/kg) to the rats of the treatment group. One day later, rats were sacrificed; the aortic arteries were excised and cut as 2 mm rings. Each aortic ring was incubated in a cell-culture well for 7 days. The process of angiogenesis was monitored by counting the number of microvessels and primary microtubules in each well. Results: Optic microscopy showed proliferation and migration of new endothelial cells to the fibrin gels. The endothelial cells produced primary microtubules which gradually made several branches and finally made a vascular matrix. The number of the primary microtubules and microvessels were significantly lower in the amygdalin-treated vs. control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Therefore, amygdalin exerts inhibitory effects on angiogenesis in aortic rings of diabetic rats and may pave a new way for treatment of unfavorable angiogenic conditions.

Physical Inactivity Is Correlated with Levels of Quantitative C-reactive Protein in Serum, Independent of Obesity: Results of the National Surveillance of Risk Factors of Non-communicable Diseases in Iran.

Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, and mortality. Physical activity prevents cardiovascular disorders, which can be partly mediated through reducing inflammation, including serum CRP levels. The association of different intensities of physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in serum was examined after adjustment for markers of adiposity, including waist-circumference and body mass index (BMI), in a large population-based study. Using data of the SuRFNCD-2007 study, a large national representative population-based study in Iran, the relationship between quantitative CRP concentrations in serum and physical activity was examined in a sample of 3,001 Iranian adults. The global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ) was used for evaluating the duration and intensity of physical activity. Total physical activity (TPA) was calculated using metabolic equivalents for the intensity of physical activity. Quantitative CRP concentrations in serum were measured with high-sensitivity enzyme immunoassay. The CRP levels in serum significantly correlated with TPA (r=-0.103, p=0.021 in men and r=-0.114, p=0.017 in women), duration of vigorous-intensity activity (r=-0.122, p=0.019 in men and r=-0.109, p=0.026 in women), duration of moderate-intensity activity (r=- 0.107, p=0.031 in men and r=-0.118, p=0.020 in women), and duration of sedentary behaviours (r=0.092, p=0.029 in men and r=0.101, p=0.022 in women) after multiple adjustments for age, area of residence, BMI, waist-circumference, smoking, and diabetes mellitus. Physical activity (of both moderate and vigorous intensity) is inversely associated with the quantitative CRP levels in serum, independent of diabetes and body adiposity.