Effects of freeze-dried strawberry supplementation on metabolic biomarkers of atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge there has been no study investigating the impact of freeze-dried strawberry (FDS) supplementation on metabolic biomarkers of atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to determine the effects of FDS supplementation on glycemic control, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and serum total antioxidant status in subjects with T2D compared to matched control subjects. METHODS: Thirty-six subjects with T2D (23 females; mean body mass index 27.90 ± 3.7; mean age 51.57 ± 10 years) were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group consumed 2 cups of FDS beverage (50 g of FDS is equivalent to 500 g of fresh strawberries) or macronutrient matched placebo powder with strawberry flavor daily for 6 weeks in a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, hemoglobin (Hb)A1c, antioxidant status, C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks post-intervention. RESULTS: FDS supplementation significantly decreased C-reactive protein levels as a biomarker of inflammation (2.5 vs. 2.04 mg/l, p < 0.05) and lipid peroxidation in the form of MDA (3.36 vs. 2.7 nmol/ml, p < 0.05) at 6 weeks compared to the baseline. Moreover, supplementation led to a decreasing trend in HbA1c (-5.7%, p < 0.05) and significant increase in total antioxidant status in the FDS group (1.44 vs. 1.26 mmol/l, p < 0.01) compared to the placebo group. No significant changes were observed in serum glucose concentrations and anthropometric indices. CONCLUSIONS: FDS improved glycemic control and antioxidant status, and reduced lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response in patients with T2D. Supplementation with freeze-dried berry products, as natural sources of antioxidants with low glycemic index, could be considered as an adjunctive therapy in ameliorating metabolic complications of T2D.

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

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of oral administration of caraway (Carum carvi) on the blood glucose level, lipid profile, and the weight of diabetic rats. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: Caraway has both antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in diabetic rats. Nevertheless, it is not recommended before further investigations in animals and humans.

Effects of chronic heat stress on testicular structures, serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations in developing lambs.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high and moderate summer ambient temperatures on testicular structures and endocrine profile of developing ram lambs. Twenty fall-born ram lambs were randomly divided into two groups: animals were kept outdoor (n=10) under ambient temperature (31-50 degrees C) or maintained indoor (26-32 degrees C) from May to October 2007. Daily maximum ambient temperature was recorded for both environments. Monthly serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations were compared between two groups throughout the experiment. The animals were slaughtered at the end of the study and their testes subjected to histopathology exam. The results showed that maximum outdoor ambient temperature was significantly higher than indoor. There was no difference between two groups on serum testosterone concentration. There was no effect on serum cortisol levels except in August and October. Histolopathological examination revealed a severe testicular degeneration with significant germ line degeneration without any impact on somatic cells. In conclusion, direct exposure of developing lambs during non-breeding season impairs testicular germ cells without significant effect on testicular endocrine function.

Biochemical and nutritional indices as cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian firefighters.

AIM: Limited cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk data are available for firefighters worldwide. This comparative study was aimed at investigating the biochemical and nutritional indices of firefighters in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals' anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences, were measured and the percent of body fat (BF%) was also obtained. Blood sampling was done in order to determine lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) concentrations. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) were also measured. RESULTS: The mean ages of firefighters and administrative staff were 42.45 +/- 6.75 and 44.64 +/- 5.83 y, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 45% and 24% in firefighters and 54% and 23% in administrative staff, respectively. High waist-to-hip and waist-to-stature ratios were detected in 26.4% and 81.3% of firefighters versus 33.3% and 89.7% of the control group, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the mean of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and FBS concentrations. The mean of Lp(a) was significantly higher among firefighters (P<0.05). About half of the subjects in both groups had TC >5.17, TG >1.69, HDL-C <1.03 nmol/L and Lp(a) >25 mg/dL. There were no significant differences between the SBP and DBP of subjects. There was no significant difference in smoking habits between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high prevalence of overweight and obesity, high TC, TG and Lp(a) and low HDL-C concentrations among all firefighters, it seems necessary to provide fitness-promotion and nutritional education programs for the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases such as CVD.