[Effect of pomegranate juice consumption on blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients]

Diabetes causes hypertension in most diabetic patients. Pomegranate juice is known to have antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic properties; the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pomegranate juice consumption on blood pressure of type 2 diabetic patients. In 1384, in a randomized clinical trial study, 61 diabetic patients [54.9 +/- 8.4 years old], attending the Special Diabetic Affairs Foundation and the Iranian Diabetic Society, were recruited, and were randomly allocated to either the pomegranate juice consumption or the control group. Patients in the pomegranate juice group consumed 200ml of pomegranate juice [sugar or additives free] daily for six weeks. The questionnaires for general characteristics, semi-quantitative food frequency and 24-hour food recall were completed by interview. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements, including weight and height, were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. SPSS software was used for data analysis and Paired T-test, Independent T-test, Covariance analysis and Chi Square test were conducted. The mean body mass index, nutrients and fiber intake, drug intake and physical activity of patients did not change during the study. In the pomegranate juice consumption group, the mean systolic blood pressure [P< 0.001] and diastolic blood pressure [P< 0.05] were significantly decreased compared with baseline. The mean systolic blood pressure [P< 0.02] and diastolic blood pressure [P< 0.03] were significantly different between the pomegranate and control groups after intervention. Considering the positive effect of pomegranate juice consumption in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure in diabetic type 2 patients it may be recommended for hypertension prevention in these patients

[Effects of dietary calcium on body weight, carcass fat content and adipocyte size in male rats]

Calcium is a micronutrient and now receiving much attention for its doubtful effects on weight and body fatness. A few mechanisms has been suggested for calcium effects on body fatness and the most emphasized one is the reducing of lipolysis and increasing lipogenesis via reducing parathyroid hormone levels. The present study is designed to evaluate the effects of nondairy dietary calcium on adipogenes is and adipocyte size in male Sprague dawley rats. This experimental study was done from November to September of 2005 at Tehran school of health; nutritiondepartment.48 male Spragu-Dawley rats from Damgostar Company were used in three randomly selected groups. The rats were fed low [0.2% W/W], usual [0.5% W/W] and high [1.2% W/W] dietary calcium based on AIN-93M purified diet. Rats were housed in 12 hours light-dark cycle, 22-25°C room temperature with free access to their respective diets. At the end of the experiment, rats were decapitated and carcass fat content, carcass ash content and mean adipocyte size in testis, peritoneal and subcutaneous fat pads were compared in three groups. The SPSS 11.5 was used as statistical software, running analysis of variance for comparing the effects. weight gain, carcass fat content and adipocyte size, in groups were not significantly different, while serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in high calcium group was significantly lower than low calcium group [p<0.05] and insignificantly lower than usual calcium group [12.36, 23.57 and 42.2 pg/dl respectively]. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol were also insignificantly lower in high calcium group. Our findings suggested that physiological concentration of dietary calcium is not effective on weight gain, body fatness and adipocyte size. Relatively equal fat content; beside significant difference in serum parathyroid hormone levels is against the parathyroid theory of calcium effects on body fatness. Finally we do not suggest any effect for calcium on body fatness and adipocyte size

[Effects of vitamin and mineral supplements on microalbuminuria and N-acetyl-beta-D- glucosaminidase activity [-betaNAG] in type 2 diabetic patients]

The present study was designed to assess the effect of Mg, Zn, vitamin C and E supplements on microalbuminuria and urinary albumin excretion and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity [betaNAG] in type 2 diabetic patients. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial, 69 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly divided into four groups and received one of the following daily supplement for 3 months; group M: 200 mg Mg and 30 mg Zn [n=16], group V: 200 mg vitamin C and 100 IU vitamin E [n=18], group MV: minerals plus vitamins [n=17], group P: placebo [n=18]. Serum malondialdehyde concentration as well as urine microalbumin concentration and betaNAG activity and blood pressure were measured at the baseline and following the intervention. Results have revealed that following the intervention urinary albumin decreased in V and MV groups. Urinary betaNAG activity and protein concentration did not change significantly; however, malondialdehyde concentration was significantly decreased in M and MV groups. Finally, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure decreased significantly in the MV group. Our findings indicate that a combination of vitamin and mineral could decrease urinary concentration of microalbumin in type 2 diabetic patients. Thus, these supplements could be prescribed to improve renal function in type 2 diabetic patients

Multidisciplinary intervention for reducing malnutrition among children in the Islamic Republic of Iran

A multidisciplinary intervention to reduce protein-energy malnutrition among children in rural areas was piloted in 3 provinces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Based on an initial situation analysis, a range of interventions were implemented through local nongovernmental organizations, including nutrition, health and literacy education for mothers, improved growth monitoring and fostering rural cooperatives and income generation schemes. Malnutrition before and after the intervention [in 1996 and 1999] was assessed using anthropometric measurements of r and om samples of children aged 6-35 months in control and intervention areas. Three years into the intervention, all indicators of malnutrition had consistently decreased in all intervention areas and the prevalence of underweight and stunting was significantly lower. Control areas showed a mixed pattern of small increases and decreases in malnutrition indicators

Ascorbic acid status in 6-60 months old children in Sirjan villages

Six- to sixty months old children were studied in Sirjan villages, divided into villages with or without a health house [HH]. All the 893 children were medically examined and their food intake was assessed, using the 24-hours dietary recall method. Ascorbic acid was determined in blood samples of 199 children. The results obtained are as follows: 1; the average vitamin C intake for all the children were more than the respective RDA, being 32.3+32 mg. In the 13-24 months group, however, the intake was 25.1+17.8 mg. 2; As compared with the standard, a smaller percentage of 6-12 months old subgroup suffered from vitamin C deficiency relative to other subgroups, which might be because of breast feeding. 3; Altogether 30% of the children had a low intake. 4; the mean total blood ascorbic acid in all the subgroups was significantly higher than the standard. 5; There was no significant difference between the two regions with regard to blood ascorbic acid, there was no difference in two sexes either. 6; only 1.5% of all the children had a low blood vitamin C level. 7; A low dietary intake of vitamin C was a nutritional problem among the children, but biochemical and clinical findings did not confirm this