effects of probiotic supplementation on markers of blood lipids, and blood pressure in patients with prediabetes: a randomized clinical trial

Prediabetes is a high-risk condition for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The growing prevalence of diabetes emphasizes on the necessity of concentrating on various strategies to prediabetes prevention and management. Probiotics as a group of functional foods might exert antidiabetic effects. This study aimed to assess the effects of probiotic administration on blood lipid profile and blood pressure in patients with prediabetes. This randomized controlled trial consisted of 60 prediabetic patients, aged 25-65 years old, that were randomly assigned to the intervention [receiving 500 mg probiotic capsules, n = 30] or control group [receiving placebo, n = 30] for 8-week period. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected at baseline. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 8 weeks for biochemical measurements. Blood pressure was measured at the baseline an after 8 weeks of intervention. Data regarding dietary intakes and physical activity were also collected during the study. We used SPSS software version 16 [SPSS Inc. Chicago, USA] for data analyzing. Probiotic supplementation did not contribute to significant changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL]-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL]-cholesterol, Triglycerides [TG], TG/LDL and LDL/HDL ratios, after 8 weeks. After adjusting for potential confounders, HDL cholesterol reduced significantly in the placebo group compared with probiotic group. Percent change in systolic blood pressure was significantly different in the probiotic group in comparison with a placebo group [-3.10 +/- 2.22 vs. 3.24 +/- 1.96, P = 0.01], although this significance did not exist anymore after adjusting for confounders [P > 0.05]. Our study showed that probiotics did not have significant effects on lipid markers although they had positive effects on systolic blood pressure

effect of anthocyanin supplementation on body composition, exercise performance and muscle damage indices in athletes

Flavonoids consider as a large group of plant metabolites that 6,000 types of them have been identified till now. In some studies, it has been shown that they can increase aerobic performance and maximal oxygen consumption [VO[2] max].The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anthocyanin [as one of the most important kind of flavonoids] supplementation on body composition, exercise performance and muscle damage indices in athletes. This double-blinded clinical trial involved 54 female and male athletes at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with athletic history of at least 3 years. Body composition, exercise performance, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase were assessed. Individuals were selected by simple sampling method, they divided into two groups using permuted block randomization method. First group received 100 mg anthocyanin pills, and the second group received 100 mg placebo pills, daily for 6 weeks. Participants asked to continue their routine diet and physical activity during the study period, and they were followed through phone calls or text messages. Soft lean mass, total body water and percent body fat were not changed significantly in the anthocyanin group after intervention but VO[2] max increased significantly in the anthocyanin group [48.65 +/- 4.73 vs. 52.62 +/- 5.04] [P

dish-based semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for assessment of dietary intakes in epidemiologic studies in Iran: design and development

Earlier forms of food frequency questionnaire [FFQ] used in Iran have extensive lists of foods, traditional categories and food-based design, mostly with the interviewer-administered approach. The aim of the current paper is to describe the development of a dish-based, machine-readable, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire [DFQ]. Within the framework of the Study on the Epidemiology of Psychological, Alimentary Health and Nutrition project, we created a novel FFQ using Harvard FFQ as a model. The following steps were taken to develop the questionnaire: Construction of a list of commonly consumed Iranian foods, definition of portion sizes, design of response options for consumption frequency of each food item and finally a pilot test of the preliminary DFQ. From a comprehensive list of foods and mixed dishes, we included those that were nutrient-rich, consumed reasonably often or contributed to between-person variations. We focused on mixed dishes, rather than their ingredients, along with foods. To shorten the list, the related food items or mixed dishes were categorized together in one food group. These exclusions resulted in a list of 106 foods or dishes in the questionnaire. The portion sizes used in the FFQ were obtained from our earlier studies that used dietary recalls and food records. The frequency response options for the food list varied from 6-9 choices from "never or less than once a month" to "12 or more times per day". The DFQ could be a reasonable dietary assessment tool for future epidemiological studies in the country. Validation studies are required to assess the validity and reliability of this newly developed questionnaire

Stroke and nutrition: a review of studies

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and certainly the major cause of disability in the world. Diet and nutrient has an effective role in prevention and control of the risk of stroke. The aim of this study was to review the studies on the relationship between dietary intake and stroke incidence. In this study, the terms of "Fat", "cholesterol", "antioxidant", "vitamins", "salt", "potassium", "calcium", "carbohydrate", "vegetables", "fruits", "meat", "tea", "whole grains", "sugar-sweetened beverages", "Mediterranean diet", "dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet [DASH diet]", "Western diet", and "stroke" were searched in Pubmed search engine. The observational studies, cohort studies, clinical trial studies, systemic review, and meta-analysis reviews are also included in this study. The study revealed that adherence to the improvements in nutrition and diet can reduce the incidence of stroke. Higher antioxidant, vitamins, potassium, calcium, vegetables, fruits, whole grain intake, and adherence to the Mediterranean dietor DASH diet can lower stroke incidence. Adherence to Mediterranean diet or DASH diet and increasing the consumption of antioxidant, vitamins, potassium, calcium food sources, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains intake can lower the risk of stroke. Healthy diet is effective in reducing risk of stroke, however, more studies need to be carried out in this area

Is anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody a good value biomarker for Alzheimer disease?

Alzheimer's disease [AD] is one of the most important neurodegenerative disorder. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] may all be involved in the development of vascular disease such as AD. The aim of this study is detection of seropositivity for anti-CCP antibody in AD patients. In our study, 30 patients with AD and 29 healthy controls [age and-sex matched] were recruited. Homocysteine and anti-CCP was measured by spectrophotometrically and immunoassay. Mean +/- SE anti-CCP was higher significantly between AD [13.6 +/- 3] and healthy subjects [4.8 +/- 0.2] [P = 0.006]. In the patients, anti CCP serum level was in high range [32.1%] of abnormal levels, but there was no significant difference in serum homocysteine in AD patients compared with controls. There is no correlation between anti-CCP and homocysteine levels in AD patients [P = 0.75], but between age and anti-CCP level observed a significantly correlation [P = 0.04]. It needs more studies to clarify confirmation the role of anti-CCP antibody production in AD patients

effect of pioglitazone on the Alzheimer's disease-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Alzheimer's disease [AD] is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and nowadays the role of endothelial cell [EC] injury has been proposed in pathological process in AD. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- gamma [PPAR- gamma] agonist has anti-inflammatory properties through activation in glial cells and improves vascular function and prevent atherosclerotic disease progression. The aim of this study is evaluation of pioglitazone effects as a drug of PPAR- gamma agonist on endothelial apoptosis induced by sera from AD patients. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVECs] were treated with sera from AD patients [n = 10] and sera from controls [n = 10]. Apoptosis was identified by annexin V-propidium iodide staining and cell death detection kit. Apoptosis was evaluated after and before adding of 10 micro M pioglitazone on EC. Nitrite [NO[2]] levels were determined in the culture supernatants. Induced apoptosis by the serum of patients was inhibited markedly when pioglitazone used before treating HUVECs with the sera of AD. Also, the measurement of nitrite concentration showed significantly greater levels of dissolved NO[2]/NO[3] metabolite in the culture media of HUVECs treated by sera of AD patients [P < 0.05], while the rate of nitric oxide significantly decreased when pioglitazone exists in culture media. Further studies are justified to investigate the novel role of the PPARs in the prevention of the neuronal and endothelial damage in neurological disorder and present a new therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's patients

B vitamins and antioxidants intake is negatively correlated with risk of stroke in Iran

Stroke is a leading cause of death in developed countries. However, current therapeutic strategies for stroke have been largely unsuccessful. Several studies have reported important benefits on reducing the risk of stroke and improving the post-stroke-associated functional declines in patients who ate foods rich in micronutrients, including B vitamins. Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are all cofactors in homocysteine metabolism. Growing interest has been paid to hyperhomocyste inemia as a risk factor for stroke. Experimental studies suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cerebral injury, and higher intake of antioxidants has been associated with a lower risk of stroke in large population studies. The aim of this study was to examine whether the dietary intake of B vitamins and antioxidants in patients with stroke were comparatively worse than those in patients without stroke. In this case control study, 69 stroke patients [46 male, age = 56 +/- 18 years and 23 female, age = 52 +/- 7 years] admitted to Azzahra hospital between April 2009 and May 2010 were matched for age and sex with 60 patients [30 male and 30 female] from the same hospital who were not affected with acute cerebrovascular diseases and did not have a history of stroke. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]. FFQ was collected conducting face-to-face interview with one of the patients' close relatives. Food intakes, translated into nutrient data, were compared between the two groups and with the recommended values. Intake of folic acid in men with stroke and vitamin B12 in women with stroke was significantly lower than that in the patients without stroke [P < 0.05], but there was no significant difference between the two groups in the level of antioxidant consumption in women and men [P > 0.05]. Our findings suggest that increased folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin E, C intake may be associated with decreased risk of stroke

Dietary intake of different carbohydrates among incident stroke patients during previous year

Stroke is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States. Numerous studies have shown that dietary carbohydrates play an important role in stroke incident. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association between dietary intake of carbohydrate and its types and stroke incidence among Iranian adults. A case-control study was performed among 46 men [5618] and 23 women [527] admitted to the Al Zahra hospital with stroke and 60 healthy people were chosen in control group. Dietary intake was measured by food frequency questionnaire [FFQ] including 168 items. Food processor software [version 2] was used to analyze data. Anthropometric indices of male and female patients were [BMI: 297.5], [Waist: 11215] and [BMI: 25.53.5], [Waist: 925] respectively. Energy intake and carbohydrate consumption of patients in both genders was higher than the healthy subjects which was statistically significant among men [P < 0.05]. Across different carbohydrate sources, refined carbohydrates consumption was higher among patients in both gender rather than the healthy subjects While, the healthy people had a higher whole grain consumption. High carbohydrate intake specially refined sources with high glycemic index [GI] and glycemic load [GL] is associated with increased risk of stroke. Hence, dietary intake requires improvement to provide protection from life threatening outcomes

Dairy consumption and stroke risk

Stroke is one of the most common causes of life-threatening disabilities and death around the world. Mortality rate is going to be doubled by 2030 in the Middle East countries. Prevention is a cost-effective approach to decrease risk of stroke. The present study assessed the relationship between dairy intake and stroke risk. This hospital-based case-control study was directed in a University hospital. The common food consumption of 129 men and women was assessed with food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]. The relationship between fermented and non fermented dairy intake and stroke were assessed between two patient groups. Total of dairy intake were lower in patients with stroke than control group [13.36 vs 19.61% in men and 11.14 vs 15.02% in women]. Similar relationships were observed between fermented and non fermented dairy intake and stroke in both genders. Lower dairy consumption can increase stroke risk in men and women

Intakes of vegetables and fruits are negatively correlated with risk of stroke in Iran

Stroke is a leading cause of death. Current therapeutic strategies have been unsuccessful. Several studies have reported benefits on reducing stroke risk and improving the post stroke associated functional declines in patients who ate foods rich in fruits and vegetables. Their potential protective effects may be due to their antioxidants, calcium, potassium, riboflavine, peridoxin, riboflavin contents. Folic acid, peridoxin, and riboflavin are all cofactors in hyperhomocysteinemia as a stroke risk factor. Studies suggest that oxidative stress plays important roles in pathogenesis of ischemic cerebral injury and higher intake of antioxidants has been associated with a lower stroke risk. The aim of this study was to examine if the dietary intake of vegetables and fruits in patients with stroke were comparatively worse than those in patients without stroke. In this case control study, 93 stroke patients admitted to Alzahra hospital were matched for age and sex with 60 patients who were not affected with acute cerebrovascular diseases and did not have a history of stroke. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Food intakes were compared between two groups and with recommended value. Mean daily intake of vegetable and fruits was more in male with stroke than male without stroke as well as calorie intake from vegetables and fruit was higher in male with stroke. Mean daily intake of vegetable and fruits were lower in women with stroke than women without stroke as well as calorie intake from vegetables and fruit was lower in women with stroke. Our findings suggest that increased vegetable and fruits intake may be associated with decreased risk of stroke

association between serum vitamin D levels with general and abdominal obesity among patients with migraine

Obesity is a common health problem around the world. Studies have shown inverse relationship between serum vitamin D levels with obesity among patients and healthy population. The aim of this present study is to examine the relationship between serum vitamin D levels with general and abdominal obesity among migraine patients. The present study is a cross-sectional and 66 migraine patients aged 19-61 years were included for analysis. Partial correlation was performed to assess association between serum 25-OH-D with general and abdominal obesity. Adjustments were performed for age, sex, and education. No relationship was found between serum levels of vitamin D with general and abdominal obesity. However, a significant association was shown between waist circumferences [WC] with body mass index [BMI]. Serum levels of 25-OH-D were not associated with WC and BMI. Furthermore, after adjustment for confounder variables, no association was observed

Investigating the anxiety level in Iranian medical residents in 2010-2011

University entrance is accompanied by major changes in social relationship, rules, and expectations that lead to psychological disorders in susceptible students. The goal of this research is to study the anxiety rate in Iranian medical residents in 2010-2011. This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study. It contains 370 medical residents from the 1[st] year to the 4[th] year of medical universities in Isfahan, Gilan, Zahedan, Sanandaj, and Kashan. The stratified sampling method proportionate to volume of participants is used in this study. The information is collected based on researchers' questioners and Zung self-rating anxiety scale and analyzed with the use of SPSS software version 16, addition to descriptive and analytic tests [Pearson, one way analysis of variance, t-test]. Meaningful level is regarded as P

Application and preventive maintenance of neurology medical equipment in Isfahan Alzahra hospital

Nowadays Medical equipment plays an important role in the treatment and in the medical education. Using outdated preventive maintenance [PM] system may cause problems in the cutting edge medical equipment, Nervous system disease's equipment [In diagnosis and treatment] which are crucial for every medical center. Based on above facts we focused on nervous system treat units' equipment and informed the supervisors and their colleagues about the latest equipment maintenance status and promoted methodical and correct method to be used for medical equipment maintenance. This research is an analytical descriptive and has been done on the base information from a particular time to past. We gathered our required information of 2009 from Alzahra Medical Center. We divided this research info 2 main phases. In the first phase, we picked out Neurosurgery and Neourology diseases medical equipment [diagnosis and therapy equipment] and in the second phase, we need to implement a methodical PM for every equipment. Research has shown that there are 19 nervous system equipment in Alzahra Medical center, categorized in diagnostic [13 pcs], therapeutic [4 pcs] and diagnostic therapeutic [2 pcs]. As we declare in methods part of this research, we categorized medical equipment in Food and Drug Administration [FDA] segmentation. Capital-scarce equipment: Magnetic resonance imaging, Eco Doppler, Kamalaarak ultrasonic surgical aspirator, Stereotactic, computed tomography-scan, euroendoscope/vital-scarce equipment: Coblation, Sonoco, vaterjet/ scarce equipment: Transcranial color Doppler, electroencephalogram, electromyography, surgical microscope. Survey of application and preventive maintenance of neurology medical equipment in Isfahan Alzahra hospital show there is no P.M system. Implementing a complete P.M system for this medical center is crucial to preventing cause problems for these medical equipment and decreasing maintenance costs and gaining uptime. Researchers of this article have tried to provide PM, use of texts, web and experts

Effects of six weeks of beta-alanine administration on VO[2] max, time to exhaustion and lactate concentrations in physical education students

Supplementation with beta-alanine has been proposed to improve performance in some exercises such as cycling and running. Also, it has been demonstrated that great deals of proton ions are produced in the skeletal muscles during exercise that result in acidosis, whereas beta-alanine may reduce this effect. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the effects of alanine supplementation on VO[2] max, time to exhaustion and lactate concentrations in physical education male students. Thirty-nine male physical education students volunteered for this study. Participants were supplemented orally for 6 week with either beta-alanine [5*400 mg/d] or placebo [5*400 mg dextrose/d], randomly. VO[2] max and time to exhaustion [TTE] with a continuous graded exercise test [GXT] on an electronically braked cycle ergometer; and serum lactate and glucose concentrations were measured before and after supplementation. Supplementation with beta-alanine showed a significant increase in VO[2] max [P<0.05] and a significant decrease in TTE and lactate concentrations [P<0.05]. A significant elevation in lactate concentrations and a non significant increase in TTE were observed in placebo group. Plasma glucose concentrations did not change significantly in two groups after intervention. It can be concluded that beta-alanine supplementation can reduce lactate concentrations during exercise and thus can improve exercise performance in endurance athletes

Lipid profiles and serum Visfatin concentrations in patients with type II diabetes in comparison with healthy controls

Visfatin is a new adipocytokine which is largely secreted by visceral adipose tissue and its effects in the development of diabetes and inflammatory reactions are similar to insulin. It acts synergistically with insulin in increasing glucose cellular uptake, stimulating glucose transfer to the muscle and adipose tissue, as well as in preventing hepatic glucose production. Its insulin-like effects are mediated through direct connection and activation of insulin receptors without any change or competition with the insulin. This case-control study was conducted among 64 women consisting of 32 diabetic patients, and 32 age-matched healthy controls. The case group consisted of 32 post-menopausal diabetic women, aged 45-65 years. Those patients were eligible who had a history of at least five years of type II diabetes, without any complications of diabetes, and who were treated only by oral glucose-lowering medications. Those individuals with C-reactive protein [CRP] test of 3+ and above were excluded from the study. Results were compared with age- and sex- matched controls. Average visfatin level was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls [4.3 +/- 1.06ng/dl vs. 3.15 +/- 0.74ng/dl, respectively< 0.001]. The mean values of anthropometric indexes and lipid profile were not significantly different between diabetic patients and controls. This study documented an inverse relationship between circulating level of visfatin and fasting blood glucose. This finding may suggest the role of increased visfatin level and increase in synthesis and secretion of the cytokines from adipocytes. These findings may be useful for primary and secondary preventive issues in diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals

Vitamin D deficiency, prevention and treatment

A 35 year female born and residing in Esfahan presents to the physician due to fatigue and sense of weakness. The patient refers that she has been having bilateral low back pain accompanied by throbbing bone pain in the lower extremities since 5 months ago. In past history menses is regular and 3 pregnancy followed by lactating the newborns. The patient denies use of any medication, except regular use of sunscreen. She also denies history of DM. In the physical examination: BP: 120/80 BMI: 30 Kg/M[2] Cranial nerves are intact Examination of nerves system is within normal limit There is no proximal myopathy. Laboratory examination revealed: o TSH and T4 within normal limits o Serum calcium 9.5 mg/dl [8.5-10.5] o Phosphate: 3.5 mg/d [2.5-4] o Albumin: 4 g/dl o 25[OH] D: 4 ng/ml o PTH: 84 Pg/ml [8-51]