Cardiovascular Toxicity of Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors and Promising Natur a l Substitutes.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs which are used for a wide variety of diseases including pain and inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, and other comorbid complications. However, this group of drugs have undesirable effects such as peptic ulcer, bleeding and renal failure. Some of these side effects are associated with or caused by generation of oxidative stress. Following the withdrawal of a cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor drug, rofecoxib (VIOXX®) due to cardiovascular complications, scientists suggested that natural COX-2 inhibitors might provide valuable alternatives to COX inhibitors. Although, most of medicinal plants reduce pain and inflammation in a similar manner to synthetic medications, however, they often have fewer side effects and are better tolerated. The present review other than focusing on cardiovascular and some other complications of NSAIDs, is trying to introduce the natural alternative remedies for these medications.

A comparative study on hypoglycemic properties, lipid profile and bioactive components of hydro-alcoholic extracts of cooked and raw Brassica napus.

Introduction: Many plants with anti-oxidant properties proved to be effective on diabetes treatment. Brassica napus (turnip) is an anti-oxidant plant consumed raw or cooked. In this study, we examined and compared hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of raw and cooked Brassica napus in diabetic rats. Objectives: Due to measuring bioactive component of Brassica napus as a rich source of flavonoid we investigate the hypoglycemic properties in raw and cooked type. Material and Methods: For this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were designated into five groups of 10 consist of control, diabetic control, diabetic cooked turnip, diabetic raw turnip, and diabetic glibenclamide. The alloxan-induced diabetic rats received extracts orally for 4 weeks. Then, the serum biochemical factors were measured and compared statisticaly by analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Results: Serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased in cooked and raw turnip rats compared to control ones. Cooked and raw Brassica napus extracts both helped high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increase; cooked turnip competency was superior in view of cholesterol and LDL-C decrease as well as HDL-C increase (P < 0.05). The mean difference in glucose and TG decrease was not significant between diabetic cooked turnip and diabetic raw turnip rats. Conclusion: Improving the blood glucose and lipid levels diabetic rats, in this study, may indicate that both raw and cooked Brassica napus extracts (especially the cooked one) may be beneficial in diabetic patients.

ClearKone-Synergeyes or rigid gas-permeable contact lens in keratoconic patients: a clinical decision.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), vision-related quality of life (VRQoL), comfort, foreign body sensation in the eye, tolerance, and handling of ClearKone-Synergeyes hybrid contact lenses and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses in patients with keratoconus. METHODS: This comparative case series was conducted between 2011 and 2012 on 40 keratoconic patients (20 in each group). The BCVA of each patient was evaluated on the same day when the lens was prescribed. The National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 25) questionnaire was assessed in addition to other subjective criteria 2 months after the lens prescription. RESULTS: The BCVA did not show a significant difference between the two lenses. Of the subjective criteria, the scores of the domains of general vision (P=0.008), ocular pain (P<0.001), distance activity (P=0.008), mental health (P<0.001), role difficulty (P<0.001), dependency (P=0.016), driving (P=0.067), total score of the NEI-VFQ 25 questionnaire (P<0.001), and comfort (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the ClearKone-Synergeyes group when compared with the RGP group. Foreign body sensation was statistically higher with RGP lens versus the ClearKone-Synergeyes lens (P=0.013). Regarding tolerance, the preference of the ClearKone-Synergeyes lens over the RGP lens was borderline (P=0.085). CONCLUSION: Although the BCVA did not differ significantly between the two lenses and both corrected vision to the same extent, satisfaction and VRQoL was better in keratoconic patients who used the ClearKone-Synergeyes lens in comparison with the RGP lens.

White rice consumption and CVD risk factors among Iranian population.

Association between white rice intake and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases remained uncertain. Most of the previous published studies have been done in western countries with different lifestyles, and scant data are available from the Middle East region, including Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the structure of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) to assess the association between white rice consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, 3,006 men were included from three counties of Isfahan, Najafabad, and Arak by multistage cluster random-sampling method. Dietary intake was assessed with a 49-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Laboratory assessment was done in a standardized central laboratory. Outcome variables were fasting blood glucose, serum lipid levels, and anthropometric variables. Socioeconomic and demographic data, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) were considered covariates and were adjusted in analysis. In this study, Student's t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. Means of BMI among those subjects who consumed white rice less than 7 times per week and people who consumed 7-14 times per week were almost similar--24.8 +/- 4.3 vs 24.5 +/- 4.7 kg/m2. There was no significant association between white rice consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, such as fasting blood sugar arid serum lipid profiles. Although whole grain consumption has undeniable effect on preventing cardiovascular disease risk, white rice consumption was not associated with cardiovascular risks among Iranian men in the present study. Further prospective studies with a semi-quantitative FFQ or dietary record questionnaire, representing type and portion-size of rice intake as well as cooking methods and other foods consumed with rice that affect glycaemic index (GI) of rice, are required to support our finding and to illustrate the probable mechanism.

Antiviral activity of Quercus persica L.: High efficacy and low toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistant strain of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-I) has increased the interest in the use of natural substances. AIMS: This study was aimed to determine minimum inhibitory concentration of hydroalchoholic extract of a traditionally used herbal plant, Quercus persica L., on HSV-1 replication on baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. SETTING: The study was conducted in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Iran. DESIGN: This was an experimental study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BHK cells were grown in monolayer culture with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum and plated onto 48-well culture plates. Fifty percent cytotoxic concentration (CC50%) of Q. persica L. on BHK cells was determined. Subsequently, 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50%) of the extract on replication of HSV-1 both in interacellular and exteracellular cases was assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistic Probit model was used for statistical analysis. The dose-dependent effect of antiviral activity of the extracts was determined by linear regression. RESULTS: Q. persica L. had no cytotoxic effect on this cell line. There was significant relationship between the concentration of the extract and cell death (P<0.01). IC50s of Q. persica L. on HSV-1, before and after attachment to BHK cells were 1.02 and 0.257 µg/mL, respectively. There was significant relationship between the concentration of this extract and inhibition of cytopathic effect (CPE) (P<0.05). Antioxidant capacity of the extract was 67.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The hydroalchoholic extract of Q. persica L. is potentially an appropriate and promising anti herpetic herbal medicine.

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in relation to the metabolic syndrome among Iranian adults.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available linking intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with the metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, findings from these studies are inconsistent and most are from Western societies; no information is available in this regard from Middle Eastern populations. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the relationship between SSB consumption and metabolic syndrome in an Iranian adult population. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data from 1,752 people (782 men and 970 women) that were selected with the multistage cluster random sampling method from three counties of Isfahan, Najafabad and Arak were used. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants' usual dietary intakes. Consumption of SSBs was calculated by summing up the consumption of 'soft drinks' and 'artificially sweetened fruit juices'. To categorize participants, we used three levels of SSB consumption: <1 time/week, 1-3 times/week, and >3 times/week. Biochemical assessments were done after an overnight fasting. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the guidelines of Adult Treatment Panel III. RESULTS: Subjects with high consumption of SSBs (>3 times/week) were younger than those with low consumption (<1 time/week). Mean BMI was not significantly different across SSB categories. High consumption of SSBs was associated with greater intakes of energy and almost all food groups. We found a significant difference in serum triglyceride levels between men consuming SSBs 1-3 times/week and those consuming <1 time/week. However, after controlling for potential confounders, this association disappeared. In crude models, no significant associations were found between SSB intake and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in either gender. After adjustment for potential confounders including BMI, we found that men in the top category of SSB intake were 17% more likely to have the metabolic syndrome (odds ratio (OR) 1.17; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.56-2.46), while women in the highest category were 20% less likely to have the syndrome (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.46-1.42) as compared with those in the bottom category. However, these associations were not significant in either men or women. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the previous findings on the association between SSB consumption and metabolic syndrome. Prospective studies are needed to further explore for this association.

Association between heme oxygenase-1 gene promoter polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome in Iranians.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) which is a rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation processes shows a dinucleotide GT repeat in the promoter that alters the level of gene transcription. This study is aimed to assess the association of HO-1 gene promoter polymorphism and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A hundred and fifty two individuals, who were followed in Isfahan Cohort Study since 2001, were enrolled in this study. They consisted of 78 MetS patients and 74 controls without MetS. Blood samples were obtained from all participants and after extracting the genomic DNA, promoter sequence was determined by PCR-based genotyping. The serum levels of iron, ferritin and bilirubin were also measured in all subjects. The proportion of short and long allele frequency did not significantly differ in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to control group. In conclusion, the results showed that there is no significant difference between two groups in (GT)n repeat of HO-1 gene promoter. These findings suggest the insignificant role of genetic risk factors compared to environmental risk factors in the development of MetS.