Simultaneous Analysis of Mycotoxins, Potentially Toxic Elements, and Pesticides in Rice: A Health Risk Assessment Study.

Rice is a widely consumed food worldwide; however, it can be a source of pollutants, such as potentially toxic elements (PTEs), mycotoxins, and pesticides. Sixty rice samples imported from Pakistan (PAK), India (IND), and Thailand (THAI), as well as domestic Iranian (IRN) rice, were collected from Bushehr, Iran, and investigated for the contamination of PTEs, including arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni); pesticides, including chlorpyrifos, trichlorfon, diazinon, fenitrothion, and chlorothalonil; mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN), ochratoxin A (OTA), and deoxynivalenol (DON); and molds. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) of pollutants and hazard index (HI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) of rice types for the Iranian adult population were calculated. The content of PTEs in Iranian rice was not higher than Iran's national standard limits. In contrast, other types of rice (imported) had at least one PTE above the permissible level. OTA content was below the detection limit, and all other mycotoxins were within the allowable range in all rice types. Thai rice was the only group without pesticides. The HI order of rice types was as follows: HIPAK = 2.1 > HIIND = 1.86 > HIIRN = 1.01 > HITHAI = 0.98. As was the biggest contributor to the HI of Iranian and Thai rice, and diazinon in the HI of Pakistani and Indian rice. The calculation of ILCR confirmed that the concentrations of Ni and Pb in Pakistani and Ni and As in Indian, Thai, and Iranian rice were not acceptable in terms of lifetime carcinogenic health risks.

The effect of probiotic supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized placebo controlled trial.

AIMS: The role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of diabetes is increasing; this study investigates the effect of multi-strain probiotics on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma insulin and lipid profile among patients. METHODS: This randomized double blind controlled trial was performed among 60 patients; individuals were randomly assigned into 2 groups of 30 participants in order to take either probiotic supplements or placebo for 6 weeks. The probiotic supplement consisted of 7 viable strains Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. Nutrient intakes were estimated using a 3-day and 24 hour-dietary recall at the beginning and end of study. Fasting blood samples were taken before and after intervention to measure the levels of FPG, plasma insulin and lipid profiles. RESULTS: Within group comparisons showed significant decrease and increase in the levels of FPG (P = 0.001) and HDL-C (P = 0.002) in probiotic group, respectively. No significant alterations were observed for within and between group comparisons in the levels of insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, insulin resistance and anthropometric measurements, including weight, waist circumference and body mass index (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significant decrease in FPG level by multi-strain probiotic supplements in within group comparison; though, further studies are needed to confirm results. (IRCT Code: IRCT2013100714925N1).

Effect of Genistein and L-carnitine and Their Combination on Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Cytokines in Experimental Nephrotic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder caused by kidney damage that results in severe leakage of protein from blood into urine. Hyperlipidemia is one complication of nephrotic syndrome. L-carnitine and genistein can control cardiovascular diseases by causing changes in lipid metabolism and cytokine production. This study was designed to examine the effects of genistein and L-carnitine on serum lipid and cytokine profiles in experimental nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: In this study, 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups of 10 animals each with similar mean body weights (300±50 g). The five groups were NC (normal-control), PC (patient-control), LC (L-carnitine), G (genistein), and LCG (L-carnitine-genistein). Serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL) LDL-cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride, cholesterol, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured. Statistics were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: At the end of the study, of the patient groups, HDL was significantly greater in the LC than in the PC or G groups (P<0.001). LDL was significantly less in the G than in the PC, LC, or LCG groups (P<0.001). Interleukin-6 was significantly greater in the PC than in the LC, G, or LCG groups, and significantly greater in the LC than in the G group. (P<0.001), but no significant differences were found for triglyceride, cholesterol, or TNF-α between the patient groups. CONCLUSION: Genistein had less effect on HDL and triglyceride levels than LC or LCG. Regarding inflammatory cytokines, genistein and L-carnitine had less effect on TNF-α than on IL-6.

Effect of Genistein and L-Carnitine and Their Combination on Gene Expression of Hepatocyte HMG-COA Reductase and LDL Receptor in Experimental Nephrotic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder that leads to hyperlipidemia. L-carnitine and genistein can effect on lipid metabolism and the syndrome. In the present study, we have delved into the separate and the twin-effects of L-carnitine and genistein on the gene expressions of HMG-COA reductase and LDL receptor in experimental nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: In this controlled experimental study, 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: NC (normal-control), PC (patient-control), LC (L-carnitine), G (genistein), LCG (L-carnitine-genistein). Adriamycin was used for inducing nephrotic syndrome and the spot urine samples and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio were measured. Hepatocytic RNA was extracted and real-time PCR was used for HMG-COA Reductase and LDL receptor gene Expression measurement. RESULTS: The final weight of the patients groups were lower than the NC group (P=0.001), and weight gain of the NC group was higher than the other groups (P<0.001). The proteinuria and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio showed significant differences between PC group and LC, G and LCG groups at week 7 (P<0.001). The expression of HMGCOA Reductase mRNA down regulated in LC, G and LCG groups in comparison with PC group (P<0.001). ΔCT of LDLr mRNA showed significant differences between the PC group and the other patient groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows a significant decreasing (P<0.001) and non-significant increasing trend in HMG-COA Reductase and LDLr gene expression, respectively, and synergistic effect of L-carnitine and genistein on these genes in experimental nephrotic syndrome.

Effects of administration of omega-3 fatty acids with or without vitamin E supplementation on adiponectin gene expression in PBMCs and serum adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein levels in male patients with CAD.

OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin is a unique anti-atherogenic adipocytokine. Regulation of adiponectin secretion is dysfunctional in cardiovascular diseases. The current trial study assessed the effects of omega-3 fatty acids with or without vitamin E on adiponectin gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP; also called ap2 and FABP4) levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 67 male patients with CAD. First of the four group of participants received 4 g/day omega-3 fatty acids plus 400 IU/day vitamin E (OE), second group 4 g/day omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin E placebo (OP), or both omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E placebos (PP) for 8 weeks. Adiponectin gene expression and serum adiponectin and FABP4 levels were evaluated. RESULTS: The combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E in patients with CAD affected their serum adiponectin and FABP4 levels and the adiponectin/FABP4 ratio significantly. In the OP group, serum adiponectin levels did not change significantly. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids with and without vitamin E had no significant effect on adiponectin gene expression. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 fatty acids with or without vitamin E improve adiponectin levels in patients, without any significant changes in adiponectin gene expression. This nutritional intervention may prevent complications in patients with CAD because of increased adiponectin levels.

Effect of probiotics on lipid profile, glycemic control, insulin action, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes: a clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The dramatic increase in the incidence of diabetes and its associated complications require a natural and safe solution to control and delay such complications. The present study tested the hypothesis that probiotics may affect biochemical indices of diabetic patients Methods: Thirty four types 2 diabetic patients aged between 25 to 65 years, and diagnosed with diabetes for less than 15 years were selected for this single- blinded clinical trial. Using balanced block random sampling, the patients were divided into two groups of intervention (probiotics) and placebo. Blood samples tested for baseline glucose, insulin, TG, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, malondialdehyde, high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) and IL-6. After six weeks of experiment, fasting blood samples were re-tested and the data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between anthropometric data including body mass index and waist to hip ratio in placebo and treatment groups. There was no significant difference in FBS, Serum TG concentration total cholesterol and LDL-C levels between placebo and treatment groups. HDL-C levels were slightly elevated after probiotic treatment, which were not statistically significant. Insulin, MDA and IL-6 levels were reduced and high sensitive CRP hs.CRP levels were elevated, although, not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The result of this study indicates a non- significant declining trend in the level of TG, MDA and IL-6 and insulin resistance after consumption of probiotics.