Correlation of serum free carnitine with serum ferritin and vitamin C levels in type II diabetic men

Diabetes is a major health problem worldwide. Type II diabetic patients are reported to have higher ferritin and lower vitamin C concentrations. Considering the role of ascorbic acid in carnitine biosynthesis and the limited information on free carnitine correlations with ferritin and vitamin C levels in diabetic patients without microvascular complications, this case-control study was conducted to determine ferritin and vitamin C levels in hyperlipidemic-diabetic men comparing to healthy controls; the correlation of free carnitine with ferritin and vitamin C levels were also studied in these patients. Thirty-five hyperlipidemic-diabetic and seventy healthy men, were included in the study by the convenience sampling method. Body Mass Index, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, ferritin and vitamin C levels were assessed in both case and control groups; moreover, serum free carnitine was measured in both groups. Dietary assessments were performed using 24 hour recall and food frequency questionnaires. Blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and HDL concentrations were significantly higher in the case group. Mean serum ferritin concentrations were higher in diabetics comparing to controls [93.22 +/- 0.27 vs. 44.66 +/- 4.23 microg/l]; whereas, mean plasma vitamin C in these patients were lower than the healthy subjects [0.68 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.89 +/- 0.05]. Positive correlations were observed between free carnitine and vitamin C levels. According to the results, it could be suggested that vitamin C supplementation in diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia might be useful. In addition, inclusion of serum ferritin assay in routine evaluation of diabetic patients could be beneficial

Effect of percutaneous ethanol injection in treatment of non-functioning benign solid thyroid nodules

Percutaneous Ethanol Injection [PEI] is a simple effective procedure especially in the treatment of autonomous and cystic thyroid nodules. In this study, we investigated the effect of PEI in volume reduction of nonfunctioning benign solid thyroid nodules. In a prospective study, 62 euthyroid patients with benign thyroid nodules were selected consecutively by endocrinologist from those being visited at endocrinology clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran during January 2007 to January 2008. The injection volume was set as two third of the nodule total size in cm3 according to the ultrasonographic measurements with an upper limit volume of 10cc. The patients were followed up one week after injection for possible complications, and then 3 and 6 months later for evaluation of efficacy of intervention by ultrasound. Student t and Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis and a P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant The data of 57 patients was used in the final analysis among which 5[8.8%] were male and 52[91.2%] were female. After six months of follow-up, the reduction in nodule size was < 30% in 15[26.3%] patients, between 31% and 50% in 14[24.6%] patients, and more than 50% in 28[49.1%] patients which was statistically significant [P = 0.001]. Local pain in first week after injection was the main complication. Percutaneous Ethanol Injection [PEI] therapy can be a safe and effective method in the treatment of benign solid nonfunctioning thyroid nodules

Relation of ankle brachial index to left ventricular ejection fraction in non-diabetic individuals

Peripheral arterial disease is associated with an excessive risk for cardiovascular events and mortality. Peripheral arterial disease is usually measured with ankle brachial index [ABI]. It is previously shown that the ABI would reflect LV systolic function, as well as atherosclerosis; however, these results are not shown in non-diabetic individuals. In this study, we aim to evaluate this relation in non-diabetic individu-als. In a prospective study, 73 non-diabetic individuals [38.4% male with mean age of 59.20 +/- 14.42 years] referred for ABI determination who had had the left ventricular ejection fraction determined using trans-thoracic echocardiography were studied. Participants were compared in normal and low ABI groups. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] was 52.34 +/- 7.69, mean ankle brachial index for the right leg was 1.08 +/- 0.13, and the mean ankle brachial index for the left leg was 1.07 +/- 0.12. Low ABI incidence was 12.32%. Individuals with low ABI significantly were older [p<0.001] and had lower left ventricular ejection fraction [p<0.001]. ABI had significantly inverse correlation with LVEF [r=-0.53, p<0.001] and positive correlation with age [r=0.43, p<0.001]. The ABI correlated inversely with LVEF in the patients with [r =-0.52, p=0.008] and without [r=-0.55, p<0.001] IHD. Results showed that ankle brachial index would be influenced by left ventricular ejection fraction in non-diabetics and to evaluate and monitor cardiovascular risk in patients these should be considered together

Grape seed extract to improve liver function in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver change

Therapeutic intervention in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are limited, while anti-oxidative materials have shown benefits in animal models. This study aimed to evaluate grape seed extract as an anti-oxidative material in this process. Therapeutic effects of grape seed extract were evaluated in comparison to vitamin C in a double-blind setting. Fifteen patients were enrolled in each group. Liver function tests were done; also, grade of steatosis and pattern of echogenicity of the liver were determined. Patients were followed up by the same evaluation repeated in first, second and third months. Mean age +/- standard deviation was 43.2 +/- 10.3 years. Grape seed extract [GSE] significantly improved the grade of fatty liver change; and resulted in significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase in patients receiving the concentrate compared to those receiving vitamin C independently, from the initial grade of steatosis. This study describes the beneficial effect of using grape seed extract for three months in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These results may improve with a longer period of follow-up

Comparison of metformin and cyproterone-estrodiol compound effect on hs C-reactive protein and serum androgen levels in patients with poly cystic ovary syndrome

The aim of this study was comparison of the effects of Metformin and Cyproterone-estradiol compound on serum androgens and highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels. Sixty patients with Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS] were enrolled in this study conducted during a period of 16 months from December 2004 to March 2006. Thirty subjects were in each group and treated with Metformin one gram per day or Cyproterone-estradiol compound 21 days monthly and at the beginning and after 3 and 6 months, weight, height, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA-S] and hs-CRP levels were measured. Mean age of patients was 23.5 +/- 8.7 years with the range of 15 to 49 years. In both groups significant decreases in DHEA-S levels and in Cyproterone-estradiol compound group a significant decrease in testosterone levels were seen after 6 months, but there were no significant decrease on hs-CRP levels. Comparison of two groups showed that there were no significant differences in the effects of these two drugs on serum testosterone, DHEA-S and hs-CRP levels. In our study the level of hs-CRP at the beginning of treatment were significantly higher in patients who were overweight and obese. Also we found that Cyproterone-estradiol compound causes significant decrease at the level of hs-CRP in overweight and obese patients. The results of this study are different from those of previous studies about beneficial effects of Metformin on hs-CRP levels but are similar to the results of studies that revealed probably obesity and overweight has important role in inducing inflammation and increasing CRP levels

cross-sectional study of metabolic and endocrine complications in beta-thalassemia major

Iron overload is a major problem in patients with beta-thalassemia major, and it has many structural and metabolic consequences. The aim of this study was evaluation of endocrine distturbances in patients with beta-thalassemia major who were older than 10 years of age. In this cross-sectional study, investigators collected demographic data and medical histories, as well as menstrual history in females, from the medical records of 56 patients with beta-thalassemia major. Patients were examined to determine their pubertal status and the standard deviation score for height for evaluation of short stature. For evaluation of glucose tolerance, a fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test were performed. Evidence for diabetes mellitus was based on American Diabetes Association and World Health Organization criteria. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxin, luteinizing hormone and follicular-stimulating hormone, and estradiol in girls and testosterone in boys were measured. The mean and standard deviation for age in the 56 patients [36 males and 20 females] was 15.62 +/- 4.44 years. Diabetes mellitus was present in 5 patients [8.9%], impaired fasting glucose was found in 16 patients [28.6%] and an impaired glucose tolerance test was found in 4 patients [7.1%]. Short stature [standard deviation score <-2] was seen in 25 [70%] boys and 14 [73%] girls. Impaired puberty was found in 40 patients [71%]. Hypocalcaemia and primary overt hypothyroidism were present in 23 [41%] and 9 patients [16%], respectively. Only eight patients [14.3%] had no endocrine abnormalities. Despite therapy with deferoxamine to treat iron overload, the risk of secondary endocrine dysfunction remained high. Hypogonadism was one of the most frequent endocrine complications. Impaired glucose tolerance, short stature, hypocalcemia, subclinical and overt hypothyroidism are also frequent