effects of creatine and carnitine supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammation in athletes

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of creatine and carnitine supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammation in athletes. In this single-blind randomized clinical trial 45 sportsmen were studied selected from Velayat Sports Complex [in Shiraz] in this single-blind randomized clinical trial. Then they were randomly divided into four groups supplemented with: a] Creatine, b] Carnitine, c] Creatine and Carnitine and d] placebo for 28 days. Before and after the intervention, blood samples were taken for measurement of oxidative stress [MDA and GSHPx] and inflammation markers. Data were analyzed using SPSS/PC statistical package [version 18]. Paired t-test and ANOVA were used to compare mean values of each groups. No statistically significant difference were found between the IL-6 and MDA mean levels of the intervention groups and placebo group [P>0.05]. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was noted in GSHPx mean values before and after supplementation as well as in comparison to placebo group. Based on the defined dose and duration of supplementation in the present study, creatine and carnitine supplementation showed no effects on oxidative stress and inflammation conditions either separately or simultaneously. Furthermore, no negative and side effects were observed

[ effect of conjugated linoleic acids and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on some inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in atherosclerosis]

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity, mortality and disability in the world and Iranian population. Inflammation and oxidative processes are major risk factors of atherosclerosis. Some evidence demonstrated antinflammatory effect of conjugated linoleic acids [CLA] and omega-3 fatty acids [omega -3 fatty acids]. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CLA and omega -3 fatty acids supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in atherosclerotic patients. In this study 90 volunteers who referred to Emam Reza Heart Clinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were selected if they fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Participants were classified into 3 groups receiving 3g/d CLA, 1920mg/d omega 3 or placebo for 2 months. C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin -6[IL-6], malondialdehyde [MDA] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] were measured before and after supplementation. CRP measurement was done by a high sensitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and IL-6 assay was performed by Radioimmunoassay methods. GPx enzyme activity and MDA was measured by spectrophotometery. Data processing and statistical analysis were done using SPSS19 software and a p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. hs-CRP level decreased significantly in both the omega 3 and CLA group during the study [4.43 +/- 4.13 vs 1.6 +/- 1.41 and 7.48 +/- 5.64 vs 5.95 +/- 5.87][p = 0.01]. IL-6 reduced significantly in omega 3 group relative to control [18.59 +/- 11.12 vs 13.37 +/- 9.44][p=0.04] but in CLA group reduction in IL-6 levels was not significant [16.13 +/- 10.21 vs 12.95 +/- 8.1][p=0.06]. GPx increased in CLA and omega 3 groups [144.57 +/- 56.89 vs 174.61 +/- 62.8 and 125 +/- 46.06 vs 171.4 +/- 68.90] [p=0.001]. MDA level decreased significantly in both the omega 3 and CLA group [3.98 +/- 1.50 vs 2.87 +/- 1.55 and 3.7 +/- 1.77 vs 2.4 +/- 0.8] [p = 0.001]. Supplementation of diet with CLA and omega 3 can have a beneficial effect on some indices of inflammatory and oxidative stress

[Effects of treatment with oral calcitriol on plasma glucose and insulin levels in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients]

Type-2 diabetes is a major metabolic disease with many signs and symptoms, such as hyperglycemia; disorders in protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; and partial or total insulin deficiency. It is accompanied with pancreatic beta-cell malfunction, reduced insulin sensitivity, and systemic inflammation. There is some evidence indicating a role of vitamin D in maintaining glucose tolerance and normal secretion of insulin. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of calcitriol on the plasma insulin and glucose levels in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. Seventy subjects [35 males and 35 female] with type-2 diabetes, aged 30-75 years old, were divided into 2 groups - an intervention and a control group. The intervention and control groups received, daily for 12 weeks, two 0.25-mcg calcitrio-capsules [0.5 mcg calcitriol] and 2 placebo capsules, respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning and at weeks 6 and 12 for measuring glucose, insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1C]. The fasting plasma glucose level did not change noticeably at weeks 0, 6 or 12 in the intervention group, while it increased significantly [p = 0.03] in the control group. The insulin level increased significantly in both the experimental [p = 0.002] and control [p = 0.0002] groups. Similarly, there were increases in the HbA1C concentration in the experimental [p = 0.013] and control [p = 0.0004] groups at week 12, as compared to baseline values. Also there was an increase in insulin resistance in both groups [p= 0.023 and 0.0001 for experimental and control groups, respectively]. Finally, HOMA-% beta, which is an indicator of the activity of the pancreatic beta-cells, remained unchanged in the controls, while it increased significantly in the experimental group [p = 0.009]. Calcitriol at a daily dose of 0.5 mcg has no lowering effect on blood glucose in type-2 diabetic patients, although it may prevent its elevation. The findings further show that calcitriol dose not bring about a reduction in insulin resistance; however, it improves pancreatic beta-cell functioning, thereby increasing insulin secretion

[ evaluation of breakfast intake pattern and short-term memory status in junior secondary school students in Shiraz, 2007]

Nutritional factors, especially breakfast can have some effects on children's learning, educational improvement and memory. Nutrients, such as niacin, folic acid, cobalamine etc. can have effect on short-term memory via several mechanisms. This study was conducted to evaluate breakfast intake pattern and short-term memory status in junior secondary school students in Shiraz. In this cross-sectional study, a total number of 150 girl students were randomly selected from four secondary schools in Shiraz. The students were asked to fill out the socio-economic questionnaires as well as food frequency questionnaires for breakfast. They were provided by three-day breakfast and their short-term memories were evaluated by Weksler test. Socio-economic conditions and dietary intakes were analyzed using ANOVA test. The results of this study showed that there was no correlation between parents job, students mean age and their school grades with their memory scores. Dietary analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between local soup consumption in breakfast and memory scores. Food record analysis showed no correlation between fat, cholesterol, protein, vitamin B6, B12, calorie or iodine intake in breakfast and memory scores, but there was a positive correlation between carbohydrate, iron and vitamin B3 intake in breakfast and memory scores, similarly there was a positive correlation between B12 intake in the breakfast and students' average school grades during the year. Adequate breakfast with lesser lipid and meat and higher carbohydrate, Fe2+ and vitamin B3 can have important role to improve short-term memory

[Effect of daidzein on the serum glucose level, lipid profile, and paraoxonase activity in diabetic sprague dawley rats]

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders. Considering the antidiabetic effect of soybean isoflavones, in this study the effect of daidzein, the most important isoflavone in soybean, on the serum glucose level, lipid profile, and paraoxonase activity in diabetic rats was investigted. Thirty six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: 1. healthy, 2. diabetic, and 3. diabetic, supplemented with daidzein. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single injection of streptozotocine [60mg/kg body weight, dissolved in 0.05 mol/l citrate buffer]. It was confirmed when the fasting blood glucose level was above 250 mg/dl. For Group 3, the diet was supplemented with 600 mg diazdein/kg basal diet. The groups of rat were fed their respective diets for three weeks. Supplementation with daidzein had no effect on the fasting glucose level, but, as compared to the diabetic [control] group, it brought about a significant decrease in the triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein levels [P=0.0001]. The high-density lipoprotein levels, too, increased in this group [P= 0.001]. Daidzein had no effect on the paraoxonase enzyme activity, as compared to the control values. However, comparison of the initial and final levels of the activity of this enzyme in the daidzein-supplemented group indicated a positive effect of diadzein in preventing reduction of this enzyme's activity [P=0.0001]. Daidzein may have a desirable effect on the lipid profile disorders, one of the most important complications of diabetes. It can also support the antioxidant system

Plasma selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity in Breast Cancer patients before and after chemotherapy

The chemotherapeutic agents used for treatment of breast cancer are all shown to increase free oxygen radicals and generation of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of chemotherapy on plasma selenium [Se] concentration and glutathione peroxidase [GPX] activity in breast cancer patients. Seventeen women in stage II and III breast cancer were randomly selected from their population. Plasma Se was measured with Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and GPX activity in erythrocyte by using spectrophotometric at baseline [before chemotherapy] and after chemotherapy. normally distributed data was expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed using Paired T-Test. Plasma Se concentration before and after chemotherapy was in normal range and no statistically difference was observed [156.23 +/- 25 micro g/L vs. 145.23 +/- 23 micro g/L respectively]. After chemotherapy, there was a significant [p < 0.05] higher erythrocyte GPX activity, as compared to initial activity at baseline. [22.28 +/- 4 U/grHb vs. 26.39 +/- 4 U/grHb respectively]. This study indicates that sufficient Se could increase GPX activity with have a protective effect against oxidative damages

[Effects of zinc supplementation on the physical growth of 2-5 years old children]

Physical growth disorder in children, aged under 5-years, is a common health problem in developing countries, including Iran, where national studies have shown that the prevalence of stunted growth disorder is approximately 15 percent. The aim of this study was to determine effects of supplemental zinc on physical growth in children with retarded growth. The study was a 12-month community-based RCT which incorporated 6 months of zinc supplementation to 2-5-year-old children with height-for-age index less than the 25th percentile of NCHS [n=90]; children were assigned randomly into either the Zinc Group receiving 5 ml of a solution containing 5 mg of zinc as zinc sulfate [ZG, n=40] or the Placebo Group who received placebo [PG, n=45] daily [7d/wk] for 6 months. The children's weight, height, mid-upper arm, Z-score for height for age, weight for age and weight for height were measured at baseline and monthly for 12 months. Data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical package. Student-t test was used for comparing the means and chi-square and Fisher's exact test were performed to compare categorical variables. Eighty-five children completed [55.3% girls, 44.7% boys] the study supplementation; compliance with supplement consumption was 95-100% and the two groups were not significantly different. The means of total weight increments [Kg] among girls in the PG and ZG groups were 2 +/- 0.9 and 2.6 +/- 1.1 [PV=0.05], respectively and for boys were 2.1 +/- 0.8 and 2.7 +/- 0.8 [PV=0.04], respectively. The mean of total mid arm circumference increments [Cm] among girls in the PG and ZG groups were 1.23 +/- 0.46 and 1.7 +/- 0.51 [PV=0.8], respectively; these figures for boys were 1.43 +/- 0.51 and 1.19 +/- 0.39 [PV=0.1], respectively. The means of total height increment [Cm] among girls, in the PG and ZG groups were 8.28 +/- 2.23 and 9.64 +/- 1.7 [PV=0.02], respectively; these figures for boys were 8.34 +/- 3.14 and 11.7 +/- 1.96 [PV=0.001], respectively. At baseline, stunted rates in the ZG and PG groups were 26.7% and 15% respectively [NS]. However, these rates in the 6th month of intervention in ZG and PG were 2.5 and 20%, respectively [PV= 0.01]. The results of this study showed that administration of 5 mg zinc daily to young children have significant effects on growth, particularly if the interventions are focused on stunted children

[ effects of soy bean on serum homocysteine, Lp[a] and lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women]

Because of undesirable serum lipoprotein profiles, postmenopausal women are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Soy protein may help protect against these risk factors although its effect on homocysteine and Lp [a] is not clear; however, the effects of soy bean in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women has not been assessed independently yet. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of soy bean on serum concentration of homocysteine, Lp[a] and lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women. In a randomised clinical trial with parallel design, 34 hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to group 1 and given 130 g soy bean containing 50 g/d soy protein and 159/9mg isoflavones, while group 2 continued their usual diet for 10 weeks [controls]. Serum lipoproteins, homocysteine and Lp [a] were measured at baseline and after the 10[th] week. There were significant decreases in Lp [a] LDL-c, TC, LDL-c/HDL-c, TG/HDL-c, TC/HDL-c in group 1, as compared to group 2, after ten weeks of study [p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.05 and p<0.05 respectively] at the end of the study. Similarly, Lp[a], homocysteine, LDL-c, TC, LDL-c/HDL-c, TG/HDL-c, TC/HDL were significantly decreased [p<0.01, p<0.05 p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01] at the end of the study, compared with initial values of the soy group. We can conclude that Soy protein reduces CVD risk in postmenopausal women because of both modest reductions in serum lipoproteins and Lp[a] in hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women

[Effects of purified omega-3 fatty acids in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes]

Omega 3 fatty acid [03FA] consumption has been shown to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. TYPE 2 diabetes confers an adverse cardiovascular risk profile particularly in women after menopause. The aim of this study was to determine whether a dietary supplement with omega 3 fatty acids affected insulin resistance, glycemic control and cardiovascular risk markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. A total of 32 postmenopausal overweight women with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes completed a randomized double blind parallel trial of purified omega 3 fatty acid supplementation [2g/day] versus placebo for 10 weeks. Evaluated were serum triglycerides [TG], HDL-c, total cholesterol [TC] and glucose using the enzymatic method, Insulin by radioimmunoassay and insulin resistance using the Homeostasis Model Assessment method [HOMA-IR] were calculated. Relative to those in the placebo group, TG decreased significantly [P=0.03] in the 03FA group. 03FA supplementation had no significant effect on serum LDL-c, HDL-c, glucose and insulin resistance but there was a significant increase in serum insulin and TC in the 03FA group at the end of study compared to the beginning [P=0.04, P=0.04 respectively]. Intake of 2g 03FA had favorable effects on serum TG and TG/HDL-C, no effect of LDL-C, HDL-C, glucose and insulin resistance but did have an adverse effect on serum insulin and TC. Recommendation of 03FA intake in diabetic postmenopausal women needs further investigation