Dietary phytochemical index associated with cardiovascular risk factor in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Dietary phytochemical index (DPI) is useful and inexpensive method to identify the role of phytochemicals on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This study aimed to assess the relationship between DPI and CVD risk factors in patients with type1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 261 participants aged 18-35 years with T1DM were enrolled in this cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between DPI and CVD risk factors. Anthropometric measurements, blood lipids, glucose, and antioxidant level were measured. Food intakes were determined using a food frequency questionnaire to calculate DPI. Logistic regression was used. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 25 years. After adjustment for potential confounders, participants in the highest tertile of DPI had 88 % lower chance of hyperglycemia (P for trend = 0.020), 81 % lower chance of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P for trend = 0.030) and 98 % lower chance of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL-C ratio (P for tend = 0.040). There were no relationships between DPI and other CVD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although higher intake of phytochemical-rich foods had a beneficial effect on some risk factors of CVD, more studies more studies are warranted to corroborate the present findings.

Evaluating the effectiveness of melatonin in reducing the risk of foot ulcers in diabetic patients.

Objectives: Diabetes and its complications, as a major health concern, are associated with morbidity and mortality around the world. One of these complications is diabetic foot ulcer. Factors such as hyperglycemia, neuropathy, vascular damage and impaired immune system can cause foot ulcers. The present review aims to study the potential effects of melatonin, the main product of pineal glands, on diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: A narrative review was performed using present literature in an attempt to identify the different aspects of melatonin's impact on diabetic foot ulcers by searching related keywords in electronic databases without any restriction. Results: This review shows that, melatonin has anti-diabetic effects. It is effective in reducing the risk of hyperglycemia, neuropathy, vascular damage and immune system impairment in diabetic patients. By reducing these complications with melatonin, correspondingly, the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers may also decrease in these patients. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate promising properties of melatonin while dealing with diabetic foot ulcers and their common underlying conditions, but still, it needs to be investigated more in future studies.

Do patients with diabetic foot ulcer need booster dose of tetanus vaccine?

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcer is a public health concern around the world. These wounds are prone to a variety of infections including Clostridium Tetani that may lead to tetanus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunity status as a result of tetanus vaccination and other preventive measures in these patients. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of previous studies which were related to the risk of tetanus infection in diabetic foot patients by searching electronic databases. Results: It was found that usually tetanus antibody titers in diabetic patients are below the protective level and they are not appropriately vaccinated. Therefore, diabetes and lack of immunity, put diabetic foot ulcer patients more at risk of tetanus. But this problem is not given serious attention in diabetes care. Conclusions: Thus, it is recommended to provide specific guidelines for tetanus vaccination and prophylaxis in diabetic patients. These recommendations can play a vital role in the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers complication.

Healthy Dietary Pattern is Related to Blood Lipids in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-sectional Study from a Developing Country.

BACKGROUND: The association between dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has been investigated in very limited studies in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the major dietary patterns and CVD risk factors in these patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 169 females of 18--35 years who were diagnosed with T1DM attending Iranian Diabetes Association in Tehran. Anthropometric measures, blood glucose, and lipid levels of all participants were measured. Dietary data was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis. Using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), mean value of the biochemical factors across the tertiles of dietary patterns was compared. RESULTS: Three major dietary patterns were identified: the grain, legume and nut (GLN), the fruits and vegetables (FV), and the high calorie foods, salty snacks, sweet and dessert (HSD). After adjustment for age, body mass index and energy intake, subjects who were in the highest tertile of FV pattern had significantly lower levels of LDL-c (P = 0.01), triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.02), and total cholesterol (P = 0.01). GLN and HSD patterns had no significant relationship with blood glucose and lipids. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a dietary pattern rich in vegetables and fruits may be inversely associated with dyslipidemia in patients with T1DM. The results can be used for developing interventions that aim to promote healthy eating for the prevention of CVD in these patients.

The association between carbohydrate quality index and anthropometry, blood glucose, lipid profile and blood pressure in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study in Iran.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Both types and amounts of dietary carbohydrates have always been issues of discussion in diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and anthropometry, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, systolic (SBP), and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). MATERIALS & METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 261 adults with T1DM aged 17-36 years who referred to the Iranian Diabetes Association or Diabetes Clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dietary data were collected using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The CQI was calculated from the three indices including dietary fiber, glycemic index (GI), and solid carbohydrates/total carbohydrates ratio. The weight, height, waist circumference, physical activity, HcA1c, SBP, DBP of all participants were measured. Biochemical assessment including serum lipids and FBG levels were analyzed on 81 individuals. RESULTS: Participants with a higher CQI had a lower body weight, GI, glycemic load, energy, and macronutrient intake (p < 0.05). In addition, after adjustment for age, sex, duration of diabetes, body mass index, physical activity, and energy intake, the lowest level of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was observed in the third tertile of CQI (ß = -0.2; SE = 0.1; p-trend = 0.04). No significant association was observed with respect to CQI with FBG, lipid profile, and blood pressure. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that there was an inverse association between CQI and HbA1c. No significant association was found with respect to CQI with FBG, lipid profile and blood pressure.

Natural Derived Nasal Spray; A Proposed Approach for COVID-19 Disease Control.

Considering the importance of COVID-19 disease pandemic, emerged by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in line with other studies to find appropriate prevention or treatment methods for this virus infection, our study objective was proposing the use of natural derived ingredients as an approach for COVID-19 disease control. Here we reviewed previous studies on natural derived nasal sprays andfound that some known natural derived ingredients have antiviral properties, so their topical use as a nasalspray is effective in reducing the symptoms of respiratory infections. Moreover, such nasal sprays also have thepotential of decreasing viral load, including titer of coronaviruses, in the nasal cavity. It seems that the use ofcarrageenan or other herbal ingredients in the nasal spray may block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering thelung cells of an affected person and can also prevent virus transmission to other susceptible persons. Further,noticing what we know about the novel 2019 coronavirus so far, we suggested carrageenan that has an unspecific physical antiviral activity and some other natural derived ingredients, as a choice in coping with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.