Effect of Carum carvi essential oil on ERG6 gene expression and virulence factors in Candida albicans.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of Carum carvi essential oil (EO) against ERG6 gene expression in relation to fungal growth and some important virulence factors in Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. carvi EO against C. albicans was determined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27-A4 method at a concentration range of 20-1280 µg/ml. Furthermore, the expression of ERG6 gene was studied at the 0.5× MIC concentration of C. carvi EO using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The proteinase and phospholipase activities, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), and cell membrane ergosterol (CME) content of C. albicans were also assessed at the 0.5× MIC concentration of the plant EO using the approved methods. In addition, fluconazole (FLC) was used as a control antifungal drug. RESULTS: The results indicated that the MIC and minimum fungicidal concentration of C. carvi EO for C. albicans growth were 320 and 640 µg/ml, respectively. The expression of fungal ERG6 at an mRNA level and ergosterol content of yeast cells were significantly decreased by both C. carvi EO (640 µg/ml) and FLC (2 µg/ml). The proteinase and phospholipase activities were also reduced in C. carvi EO by 49.82% and 53.26%, respectively, while they were inhibited in FLC-treated cultures by 27.72% and 34.67%, respectively. Furthermore, the CSH was inhibited in EO- and FLC-treated cultures by 12.75% and 20.80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that C. carvi EO can be considered a potential natural compound in the development of an efficient antifungal agent against C. albicans.

Effects of different exercise modalities on novel hepatic steatosis indices in overweight women with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fatty liver is a clinical and pathologic condition in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of different exercise modalities on non-alcoholic fatty liver indices (fatty liver index [FLI], lipid accumulation product [LAP], hepatic steatosis index [HSI], and Framingham Steatosis Index [FSI]) in women with T2D. METHODS: Fifty-two women with T2D and a mean age of 55.07±5.92 yrs, body mass index (BMI) 28.94±4.09 kg/m2 , and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 9.41±0.82% were randomized to a sprint interval training (SIT) (n=17), combined aerobic and resistance (A+R) training (n=17), or control group (n=18) for 10 weeks. Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to find differences between groups and the effects of time and Time×Group interactions after 10 weeks on non-alcoholic fatty liver indices. After this, ANOVA models were constructed to determine the effects of group allocation and change in non-alcoholic fatty liver indices. RESULTS: There were significant time interactions for FLI (P<0.001), HSI (P<0.001), and LAP (P<0.001). Also, there were significant Time×Group interactions for fasting blood glucose (P=0.034), and HbA1c (P=0.006). CONCLUSION: Results highlight that exercise training, independent of mode of training, is an effective strategy to improve some indices related to hepatic steatosis and blood glucose profiles in women with T2D.

Effects of sprint interval or combined aerobic and resistance training on myokines in overweight women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Our primary aim was to assess the effects of two different training modalities: sprint interval training (SIT) or combined aerobic and resistance training (A + R) on circulating myokines related to metabolic profile and adiposity in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Fifty-two overweight women with T2D [55 ±â€¯6 yrs., BMI 28.9 ±â€¯4.1 kg/m2, HbA1c 9.4 ±â€¯0.82% (79 mmol/mol)] were randomized to SIT (n = 17), A + R training (n = 17) or control (n = 18) for 10 weeks. Myokines, metabolic outcomes, body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness were assessed at baseline and 48 hours after the last training session/control period. Relationships between myokines and other variables were investigated via linear regression models. Completion rate was 81%. There was no effect of either exercise modality on any myokine. Interlukin-15 decreased over time irrespective of group assignment (p = 0.02). Aerobic capacity (p = 0.01), fasting glucose (p = 0.03) and HbA1c (p = 0.006) improved significantly and similarly in both exercise groups compared to controls. Insulin (p = 0.02), weight (p = 0.020, body max index (BMI) (p = 0.01) decreased significantly over time irrespective of group. Changes in myokines were unrelated to changes in body composition or metabolic profile. Neither SIT or A + R training altered myokines measured 48 h after exercise in T2D, despite improving aerobic capacity and glucose homeostasis relative to controls. Future studies are needed to elucidate the time course and clinical relevance of putative myokine responses to exercise in this and other cohorts.

A randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation on perinatal depression: in Iranian pregnant mothers.

BACKGROUND: Mood disorders in pregnancy and post-partum period are common and considered as a public health issue. Researchers have studied the relationship between low serum vitamin D concentration and perinatal depression, although no clinical trial has been conducted on vitamin D's effects on depression related to childbirth. This study evaluated the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on perinatal depression scores. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was done in pregnant women who were under prenatal care in a teaching hospital in Shiraz, Iran. The inclusion criteria were: being 18 years or older, no history of mental illness and internal diseases, a singleton live fetus, without any pregnancy complications, gestational age of 26-28 weeks upon enrollment, and depression score of 0 to 13. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale was used to evaluate depression scores. A total of 169 participants were assigned to the two groups of placebo and vitamin D through block randomization design. Vitamin D group received 2000 IU vitamin D3 daily from 26 to 28 weeks of gestation until childbirth. Maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were measured at baseline and childbirth. Besides, depression scores were evaluated four times: at 26-28 and 38-40 weeks of gestation, and finally at 4 and 8 weeks after birth. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in relation to baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. However, at childbirth, the vitamin D group had significantly higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in comparison to the control group (p < 0.001). At baseline, no correlation was observed between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and depression score (r = 0.13, p = 0.09). There was no significant difference between the two study groups in relation to the baseline depression score. While, the vitamin D group had greater reduction in depression scores than the control group at 38-40 weeks of gestation (p = 0.01) also, at 4 and 8 weeks after birth (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present trial showed that consuming 2000 IU vitamin D3 daily during late pregnancy was effective in decreasing perinatal depression levels. We suggest further clinical trial in pregnant mothers who are at risk for postnatal depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials  IRCT2015020310327N11 . Date of registration: March 9th 2015.

Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on infant anthropometric measurements and bone mass of mother-infant pairs: A randomized placebo clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Based on the essential role of vitamin D in the regulation of calcium metabolism, we evaluated the effects of 2000IUvitamin D/day in late pregnancy on infant's anthropometric measurements and bone mass parameters of mother-infant pairs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, the main inclusion criteria were: aged 18 or older, no history of internal diseases and pregnancy complications, and a singleton live fetus. The intervention group received two 1000IU vitamin D3 pills (2000IU) daily from weeks 26-28 until childbirth. Maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, infants' anthropometric measurements (at birth, 4th and 8th weeks postnatal), and maternal and infant bone mass parameters were examined. RESULTS: The two groups were not statistically different in relation to baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. However, there was a significant difference between the study groups with regard to change in vitamin D status over time (p<0.001). In cross-sectional analysis, the two groups were not different with respect to anthropometric measurements in three time points. Also, in repeated measure analysis, the two groups did not show any statistical differences concerning the infants' anthropometric measurements. The bone mass measurements of all the 28 mothers who belonged to the two study groups were not different. Finally, the bones mass measurements of the infants in the two study groups were not different. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of 2000IUvitamin D3/day during late pregnancy did not improve anthropometric measurements of infants from birth until the 8th week postnatal, nor improve the maternal and infant bone mass measurements.