Association between serum level of vitamin D and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients in Iran.

BACKGROUND: It is suggested that vitamin D deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) via its effect on lipid profiles. The objective of this study was to determine the association between fasting serum levels of 25(OH) D and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 108 type 2 diabetics. Patients were selected randomly among members of the Iranian Diabetes Association according to study criteria. Fasting concentration of 25(OH) D, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and lipid profiles (including triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol) were measured. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) and PTH were 53.41 ± 33.25 nmol/l and 40.24 ± 18.24 pmol/l, respectively, in type 2 diabetic patients. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 58.34% and vitamin D sufficiency and insufficiency combined was 41.66%. Although in diabetic patients with vitamin D deficiency, serum levels of total cholesterol, TG, and LDL were higher and HDL was lower compared to patients with vitamin D sufficiency, this association was statistically significant only for serum level of TG (145.91 ± 79.00 vs. 122.95 ± 55.82 mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: The results of present study show that serum concentrations of 25(OH) D were inversely associated with TG. More interventional studies are needed to confirm the relationship between serum concentration of vitamin D and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Relationship between blood donors' iron status and their age, body mass index and donation frequency.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Regular blood donation may decrease body iron storage and lead to anemia. The aim here was to evaluate the iron status of Iranian male blood donors and the impact of age, body mass index (BMI) and donation frequency over one year, on iron status indices. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study at Tehran Blood Transfusion Center, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: Between July and September 2011, 117 male blood donors were selected and divided into four groups according to their frequency of blood donation. Thirty male non-donors were also recruited as controls after adjusting for age, weight, height, smoking habits and monthly income. Iron status indices and some criteria such as general health and dietary measurements were determined among all subjects. RESULTS: The values of the iron-related parameters were significantly lower among donors than among non-donors. Only total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was found to be significantly higher among different donor groups than in the controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between age and serum ferritin (SF) only among the donors who had donated once within the preceding year. The iron status indices did not show any significant relationship with BMI among donors or non-donors. CONCLUSION: A donation frequency of more than twice a year had a significant influence on iron-related parameters. Therefore, without annual measurement of these parameters, further phlebotomies may lead to iron deficiency and donor rejection in the future.

Tomato juice consumption reduces systemic inflammation in overweight and obese females.

Tomatoes are the richest source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant. Tomato products improve antioxidant defences and reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases, at least partly, due to the presence of lycopene. Lycopene, as an anti-inflammatory agent, prevents the production of inflammatory cytokines. Obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the increased level of body fat leads to an increase in circulating inflammatory mediators. We hypothesised that the consumption of a lycopene-rich food would reduce inflammation in people who are overweight or obese. A total of 106 overweight or obese female students of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences were enrolled and randomly allocated to an intervention group (n 53) or a control group (n 53) consuming 330 ml/d of tomato juice or water, respectively, for 20 d. At baseline and day 20, serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and TNF-α were analysed by ELISA and compared between the groups. Serum concentrations of IL-8 and TNF-α decreased significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group and with baseline. Subgroup analysis indicated that this effect was confined to subjects who were overweight. Among obese subjects, serum IL-6 concentration was decreased in the intervention group compared with the control group, with no differences in IL-8 and TNF-α observed. Tomato juice reduces inflammation in overweight and obese females. Thus, increasing tomato intake may provide a useful approach for reducing the risk of inflammatory diseases such as CVD and diabetes, which are associated with obesity.

Relationship between blood donors' iron status and their age, body mass index and donation frequency / Relacao entre os niveis de ferro de doares de sangue e idade, indice de massa corporal e frequencia de doacao

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Regular blood donation may decrease body iron storage and lead to anemia. The aim here was to evaluate the iron status of Iranian male blood donors and the impact of age, body mass index (BMI) and donation frequency over one year, on iron status indices. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study at Tehran Blood Transfusion Center, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: Between July and September 2011, 117 male blood donors were selected and divided into four groups according to their frequency of blood donation. Thirty male non-donors were also recruited as controls after adjusting for age, weight, height, smoking habits and monthly income. Iron status indices and some criteria such as general health and dietary measurements were determined among all subjects. RESULTS: The values of the iron-related parameters were significantly lower among donors than among non-donors. Only total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was found to be significantly higher among different donor groups than in the controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between age and serum ferritin (SF) only among the donors who had donated once within the preceding year. The iron status indices did not show any significant relationship with BMI among donors or non-donors. CONCLUSION: A donation frequency of more than twice a year had a significant influence on iron-related parameters. Therefore, without annual measurement of these parameters, further phlebotomies may lead to iron deficiency and donor rejection in the future. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Doação de sangue regular pode diminuir o armazenamento de ferro no organismo, conduzindo à anemia. O objetivo foi avaliar o estado de ferro de iranianos doadores de sangue do sexo masculino e o impacto da idade, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e frequência da doação ao longo de um ano sobre os índices do estado de ferro. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal, descritivo e analítico no Centro de Transfusão de Sangue de Teerã. MÉTODOS: Entre julho e setembro de 2011, foram selecionados 117 homens doadores de sangue, divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com a frequência de doação. Trinta homens não doadores foram também recrutados como controles, após ajustes para idade, peso, altura, tabagismo e renda mensal. Índices do estado de ferro, bem como alguns critérios como a saúde geral e medidas dietéticas, foram determinados entre todos os indivíduos. RESULTADOS: Os valores dos parâmetros relacionados ao ferro foram significativamente mais baixos entre os doadores em comparação aos não doadores. Somente capacidade de ligação de ferro total foi significativamente maior entre os diferentes grupos de doadores em comparação com os controles. Correlação positiva significante entre idade e ferretina sérica foi observada somente nos que tinham doado uma vez no ano anterior. Os índices do estado do ferro não mostraram relação significativa com o IMC entre doadores e não doadores. CONCLUSÃO: A frequência de doação de mais de duas vezes por ano teve influência significativa nos parâmetros relacionados ao ferro. Assim, sem medidas anuais desses parâmetros, flebotomias adicionais podem levar a deficiência de ferro e rejeição de doadores no futuro. .

The relationship between the activates of antioxidant enzymes in red blood cells and body mass index in Iranian type 2 diabetes and healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by increased production of free radicals and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxide (GSH-PX) in type 2 diabetic patients compared with healthy subjects. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 type 2 diabetic patients and 100 healthy controls. Total antioxidant capacity and fasting serum levels of SOD, GR, and GSH-Px were measured. All data were analyzed using SPSS software compatible with Microsoft Windows. RESULTS: The activity levels of SOD were lower in diabetic patients (111.93 ± 354.99 U/g Hb) than in healthy controls (1158.53 ± 381.21 U/g Hb), but this was not significant. Activity levels of GSH-PX and GR in diabetics (62.33 ± 36.29 and 7.17 ± 5.51 U/g Hb, respectively) were higher than in controls (24.62 ± 11.2 and 3.16 ± 2.95 U/g Hb, respectively). The statistical difference in enzyme activity of both GSH-Px and GR was significant (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The increasing production of free radicals and changes in activity levels of antioxidant enzymes in order to scavenge free radicals and/or the effect of diabetes on the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes has an important effect on diabetic complications and insulin resistance. Evaluation of the levels of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant factors in patients at different stages of the disease, and pharmaceutical and nutritional interventions, can be helpful in reducing oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients. There were positive relationship between BMI and the activity of antioxidant enzymes including SOD, GR and GPX in both groups.

Folate and vitamin B12 status in schizophrenic patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine red blood cell (RBC) and serum folate and vitamin B12 levels as well as their intake in schizophrenic patients. METHODS: The folate and cobalamin status of 60 schizophrenic patients (15-55 years) was compared to 60 matched healthy controls using Radio Isotope Dilution Assay (RIDA). RESULTS: Serum and RBC folate in schizophrenic patients was significantly lower than the control group. Mean serum cobalamin levels in the schizophrenic group were higher than controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that folate deficiency is common in schizophrenic patients; therefore, it is important to pay attention to folate levels in these patients.