[Role of vitamin D on the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in the patients with multiple sclerosis]

Background and Aim: multiple sclerosis [MS] is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease characterized by the degeneration of myelin sheath in the central nervous system. Vitamin D deficiency and an increase in the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation are regarded as possible causes of the disease. This review article deals with the role of vitamin D on the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in the patients with multiple sclerosis

Material and Method: in this review study data were selectively collected by using google scholar, science direct and pubmed data bases and also by searching key words of MS, vitamin D, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress, from 1990 to 2018

Results: various studies have shown increased levels of pre-inflammatory factors and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory factors in the serum of the patients with MS. Therefore, active form of vitamin D, 1.25 [OH] 2D3 [calcitriol], can be effective in regulation of cellular immune function. It can decrease production of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress but, increases anti-inflammatory cytokines. This vitamin can affect energy metabolism and its deficiency can result in increased basal metabolic rate and lack of provision of sufficient energy to the energy-dependent neurons

Conclusion: the results of this study showed that vitamin D can play a two-way role in maintaining balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D can improve survival of the MS patients by its antioxidant effect and reduction of oxidative stress

Effects of sesame butter [Ardeh] versus sesame oil on metabolic and oxidative stress markers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders and is related to oxidative-stress-induced diseases. Given the role of dietary antioxidants in the control and prevention of diabetes, this study aimed to examine the effects of sesame butter versus sesame oil on the serum levels of glucose, lipid profile, and oxidative stress biomarkers in diabetic rats

Methods: Forty male albino rats of Wistar strain were randomly divided into 4 groups [i.e., nondiabetic control rats, diabetic rats, diabetic rats treated with sesame butter, and diabetic rats treated with sesame oil]. Experimental diabetes was induced with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin [55 mg/kg]. Sesame butter [1.25 g/kg] and sesame oil [0.5 g/kg] were given by oral gavage to the diabetic rats for 6 weeks. Finally, serum glucose, lipid profile, total antioxidant capacity [TAC], and malondialdehyde [MDA] levels were measured and analyzed statistically

Results: Our data showed that the diabetic groups treated with sesame butter and sesame oil had significantly lower levels of glucose and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein than did the diabetic control group at the end of the study [P<0.05]. Sesame butter supplementation also increased TAC and decreased MDA concentrations significantly in the diabetic rats [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The antihyperglycemic, antioxidative, and partly lipid-lowering effects of sesame butter make it an excellent candidate for future human studies on diabetes, although further research is needed to determine the exact dose and duration of supplementation

Association of dietary patterns with body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure in an adult population in Ahvaz, Iran

To assess the association between dietary patterns, central obesity, and blood pressure [BP]. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated anthropometric measurements, BP, and usual dietary intakes of 243 men, aged 30-50 years old, working at the Education and Culture Systems in Ahvaz, Iran, between October 2011 and March 2012 using the Food Frequency Questionnaire [FFQ]. Using the factor analysis, we extracted 3 major dietary patterns: [prudent], [high protein] and [high fat]. After controlling for confounders [energy and physical activity], [prudent] pattern scores were negatively associated with body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic BP [p<0.05]. Scores of [high protein] and [high fat] patterns were positively related to obesity and hypertension indices [p<0.05]. A dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, nuts, and olives are associated with lower risk of central obesity and hypertension, while dietary patterns with high amounts of red meat, egg, butter, high fat dairy products, hydrogenated fats, pizza, and soft drinks are associated with increased risk of these conditions in Ahvaz, Iran

[Comparison of the effects of sesame butter and sesame oil intake on serum glucose levels and lipid profiles on diabetic rats]

Background and purpose: Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine metabolic disorders, resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. According to the useful properties of sesame and extensive use of its products [like sesame butter] in Khuzestan province, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sesame butter vs. sesame oil on serum glucose levels and lipid profiles on diabetic rats.

Methods: Forty male rats of Wistar Strain were randomly divided into 4 groups [10 rats per group] and were being treated for 6 weeks as follows: Group 1: non diabetic control rats; Group 2: diabetic control rats; Group 3: diabetic rats that were being treated with 1.25 g/kg sesame butter; and Group 4: diabetic rats that were being treated with 0.5 g/kg sesame oil. At the end of the experimental period, serum levels of glucose and lipid profiles were measured. The statistical analysis was carried out, using SPSS 18 software. One way analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Independent sample test were used to compare means between the treated and controlled groups. P< 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: Utilization of sesame butter and sesame oil in diabetic rats's regime caused a significant decrease in glucose concentrations and also led to increase in high density lipoprotein-c levels compared to the diabetic control rats [P<0.05]. Triglyceride levels were also decreased after 6 weeks in the sesame oil treated diabetic group [P=0.000].

Conclusion: The results of presented study indicate the improving effects of sesame butter and sesame oil on controlling glucose levels and lipid profiles in the animal models of diabetes.

Dietary patterns in pregnancy and infants anthropometric parameters at birth

There is little information regarding relationship between maternal dietary pattern and infant anthropometric parameters at birth. This study was carried out to determine relationship between dietary patterns in pregnancy with infants' anthropometric parameters. In this cross-sectional study, 94 pregnant women [GA: 37-40 weeks] referred to Ahvaz Razi hospital were selected. Anthropometric parameters were measured. The dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Statistical analysis was done in the SPSS. In this study, three major dietary patterns including [healthy], [traditional] and [western] dietary patterns were identified. After adjusting of confounders [age, physical activity, energy intake, pregnancy weight gain and infant sex], the relationship between dietary patterns with birth weight, height and head circumference were exhibited in three models. The relationship between healthy dietary pattern and infant weight, height and head circumference at birth was significantly positive in all models [P0<05]. Western dietary pattern had significant negative relationship with head circumference in the model 1 and 2. Moreover, it had negative relationship with birth weight in the model 1 [P0<05]. Traditional dietary pattern did not show any significant relationship with anthropometric parameters at birth. The present study found significant relationship between maternal dietary patterns with anthropometric parameters at birth. Further prospective studies are suggested to confirm the findings

Green tea [camellia sinensis] supplementation to diabetic rats improves serum and hepatic oxidative stress markers

Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorders and is interrelated to oxidative stress-induced diseases. According to the role of dietary antioxidants in control and prevention of diabetes, this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of green tea extract on serum glucose levels and serum and hepatic total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and lipid [MDA] in diabetic rats. Experimental diabetes in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin [55 mg/Kg]. Alcoholic extract of green tea [100, 200 mg/Kg] was given by oral gavage to normal and diabetic rats for 4 weeks. Finally, serum glucose and serum and hepatic levels of MDA and TAC were measured and analyzed statistically. Data showed that green tea extract at dose of 200 mg/Kg significantly decreased the serum glucose levels, serum and hepatic MDA concentration and increased the total antioxidant capacity in diabetic rats [p < 0.05]. Green tea supplementation also increased hepatic TAC in normal rats [p < 0.05]. The antihyperglycemic and antioxidative features of green tea make it an attractive candidate for the prophylactic treatment of diabetes, although further investigation is needed to determine exact dose and duration of supplementation

[Effect of low-calorie diet supplemented with genistein on lipid profile, blood glucose and proinflammatory biomarkers in diet-induced obese rats]

Obesity is a worldwide public health problem that results in comorbidities including diabetes, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease and some types of cancer. It seems that soy isoflavones can improve obesity and reverse subsequent metabolic disorders. In this study, we assessed the effect of restriction of calorie supplemented with genistein on diet-induced obese rats. Thirty rats obesed with high fat diet were divided randomly into 3 experimental groups [n= I 0] as follows: group I: low calorie diet supplemented with 50mg/kgbw genistein, group2: low calorie diet supplemented with Dimethyl Sulphoxide [DMSO] [as vehicle] and group3: obese control rats with ad libitum access to standard food. After 4 weeks, fasting blood samples were collected and analyzed for biochemical analysis. The results showed that administration of genistein in conjunction with low calorie diet can synergistically improve triglyceride [p=0.005], VLDL [p=0.005], total cholesterol [p=0.002] and LDL-C [P=0.003] and increase HDL-C [p=0.001] but has no effect on body weight and proinflammatory biomarkers [resistin and CRP]. Restriction of calorie also resulted in the decrease of glucose level, TG, TC, LDL, proinflammatory biomarker [CRP] and increase in HDL-C [p<0.05] but has no effect on resistin level. It seems that administration of genistein with restriction of calorie is useful for improvement of hyperlipidemia in obese hyperlipidemic patients

Effect of daidzein-low-calorie diet on body weight, serum levels of glucose, resistin, and high sensitive C-reactive protein in high fat, high calorie diet induced rats

To assess the effect of restricting calories with or without daidzein on weight, serum levels of glucose, and inflammatory markers in obese rats. This experimental study was carried out in Jundishapur University, Ahvaz, Iran, from September 2010 to January 2011. Obesity was induced in 30 male Wistar rats [140-160, 6-8 weeks age] after 6 weeks by feeding them a high-fat diet. Then, the rats were divided into 3 groups: obese rats treated with low-calorie diet containing 50 mg/kg daidzein [n=10]; obese rats treated with low-calorie diet containing dimethyl sulfoxide [n=10]; and obese rats that were given ad libitum access to food as the control group [n=10]. After 4 weeks, blood samples were collected in order to analyze the levels of glucose, resistin, and high sensitive C-reactive protein [CRP]. Restriction of calories resulted in decreased blood glucose [p=0.002], and decreased levels of high sensitive CRP [p=0.000], but had no significant effect on resistin level. Daidzein administration had no significant effect on body weight, serum glucose, levels of resistin, and high sensitive CRP. Calorie restriction significantly affected body weight, serum glucose, low-grade inflammation biomarkers, and masked the effect of daidzein

Effect of green tea extract on body weight, serum glucose and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A dose response study

To examine the effect of green tea extract on body weight, serum levels of glucose, and lipids in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This experimental study was carried out in the Diabetes Research Center, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran from January 2011 to March 2011. Forty-eight male wistar rats[200-250g] were divided randomly into 6 groups. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of stereptozotocin [55 mg/kg]. The experimental groups received alcohol extract of green tea leaves [100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg] for 4 weeks and the body weight of animals were measured every day. Finally, blood samples were collected and analyzed for glucose and lipid profile levels. Administration of green tea extract caused a significant decrease in serum glucose and total cholesterol levels and significantly improved the body weight loss in diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg green tea in comparison to diabetic control group. No significant changes were observed in triglyceride [p=0.04], low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol [p=0.000], and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels [p=0.01] following intervention. It appears that green tea extract had both antihyperglycemic and hypocholesterolmic effects in diabetic rats, although further work is needed to determine their mechanism

effect of oral administration of carum carvi on weight, serum glucose, and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

To evaluate the effect of oral administration of caraway [Carum carvi] on the blood glucose level, lipid profile, and the weight of diabetic rats. This investigation was carried out in Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran between April and June 2010. Twenty-four male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal, diabetic, and caraway treated diabetic groups and were studied for 3 weeks. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin. Caraway was given orally at a dose of 1g/kg body weight daily, and the body weight of animals was measured every day. Blood samples were collected and blood glucose levels and lipid profile were determined. The results showed that oral administration of caraway caused a significant decrease in blood glucose level of treated rats [p=0.001] and alleviated their body weight loss [p=0.037]. Furthermore, it caused significant decrease in total cholesterol [p=0.036], and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels [p=0.001] in the treated animals compared with the diabetic control rats, and with no significant change in triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Caraway has both antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in diabetic rats. Nevertheless, it is not recommended before further investigations in animals and humans

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