Protective effect of grape seed and skin extract on garlic-induced erythrocyte oxidative stress.

High garlic dose could exert adverse health properties and grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) exhibit a variety of beneficial effects, even at high dose. In the present study we evaluated the toxic effect of high garlic dose treatment on antioxidant status of the blood compartment and the protective effect of GSSE. Rats were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered either with garlic extract (5 g/kg bw) or GSSE (500 mg/kg bw) or a combination of garlic and GSSE at the same doses daily during one month. Plasma parameters and erythrocytes antioxidant status were evaluated. Data confirmed that high garlic dose induced anemia and a pro-oxidative state into erythrocytes characterized by increased malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl protein and antioxidant enzyme activities as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Garlic also elevated intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and free iron whereas GSSE treatment counteracted almost all garlic deleterious effects. In conclusion, high garlic dose induced a pro-oxidative state into erythrocytes via the Fenton reaction between H(2)O(2) and free iron, and GSSE exerted antioxidant properties.

Aerobic training programs and glycemic control in diabetic children in relation to exercise frequency.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an aerobic training on glycemic control and lipid profile in diabetic children. METHODS: Thirty-three children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) were equally divided in three groups. The control group (CG) did not perform any training intervention during the period of the investigation and the subjects were instructed to continue with their daily lifestyle patterns. The second group (G1) and the third group (G2) completed a six-month aerobic training programs. During the period of the investigation, G1 participated in one daily session (~60 min) of aerobic exercise twice weekly, while G2 performed in the form of daily session four times a week (~60 min). HbA1c and lipid profile were measured before training intervention, then after three and six months. RESULTS: The three-month periods was without significant changes of HbA1c in the two groups but significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in G1 (P<0.05). In G2, an increase of HDL-C was accompanied by a decrease of serum triglyceride (TG) (P<0.05). After six months, only HDL-C and TG levels were significantly lower in G1 (P<0.01), while in G2 HDL-C increased (68.8±5.7 mg/dL vs. 56.7 ±7.2 mg/dL; P<0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (69.2±8.5 mg/dL vs. 81.6±11.8 mg/dL; P<0.01), TG concentrations decreased (60.7±6.9 mg/dL vs. 77.4±9.3 mg/dL; P<0.01) and HbA1c was significantly lower (6.8±1.1% vs. 8.2±1.5%; P<0.05), comparatively to those before training. CONCLUSION: However, the six-month periods showed that children exercising more than two times weekly significantly improved HbA1c and lipid profile. These results must encourage children with T1DM to regularly practice sporty activities for long periods.

Effect of training on GH and IGF-1 responses to a submaximal exercise in football players.

To study the effects of regular football training on basal and exercise induced levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), 13 young football players were investigated by a submaximal exercise at the beginning of the sporting season in October (S1), at the middle of the season in January (S2) and at the end in May (S3). At each session, an exercise test on an ergogycle was performed for 25 min, beginning with an incremental exercise to reach 90% of theoretical maximal heart, which was maintained for the last 10 min of the test. Venous blood samples were collected at rest, at the end of the exercise and at 30 and 60 min during the recovery period. Plasma lactate and glucose concentrations increased during exercise with no difference found between sessions. GH level increased with exercise at each session but the response was significantly higher in S1 than in S2 and S3 (P<0.01). The GH area under the curve decreased significantly all along the football season (P<0.01); the IGF-1 level did not significantly change during exercise nor with training. Basal insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) remained stable during the three sessions. Football training decreased significantly the exercise-stimulated GH levels all along the football season but did not have any significant effect on IGF-1 levels or on basal IGFBP3 levels.

[Metabolic effects of the month of Ramadan fasting on type 2 diabetes]. / Les effets métaboliques du jeûne du mois de Ramadan chez des diabétiques de type 2.

We assessed the effects of Ramadan fasting on metabolic control, particularly change of HDL-cholesterol in 25 type 2 diabetic patients treated with diet or oral agents, with good metabolic control. Clinical and biochemical parameters and food intake were evaluated 3 weeks before Ramadan, in the fourth week of Ramadan and 3 weeks after Ramadan.There were no changes in body weight and blood pressure nor any metabolic complications. The mean plasma fasting glucose, serum fructosamin and haemoglobin A1c did not change. We found a negative relation between cholesterol intake during Ramadan and the change of HDL-cholesterol. When cholesterol intake was lower than 400 mg/day, plasma HDL-cholesterol increased by 13% at the end of Ramadan and by 23% 3 weeks after Ramadan.

[Metabolic effects of Ramadan fasting on type 2 diabetes]

We assessed the effects of Ramadan fasting on metabolic control, particularly change of HDL-cholesterol in 25 type 2 diabetic patients treated with diet or oral agents, with good metabolic control. Clinical and biochemical parameters and food intake were evaluated 3 weeks before Ramadan, in the fourth week of Ramadan and 3 weeks after Ramadan.There were no changes in body weight and blood pressure nor any metabolic complications. The mean plasma fasting glucose, serum fructosamin and haemoglobin A1c did not change. We found a negative relation between cholesterol intake during Ramadan and the change of HDL-cholesterol. When cholesterol intake was lower than 400 mg/day, plasma HDL-cholesterol increased by 13% at the end of Ramadan and by 23% 3 weeks after Ramadan

[Food intake, and anthropometrical and biological parameters in adult Tunisians during fasting at Ramadan]. / Apports alimentaires, paramètres anthropométriques et biologiques chez des sujets adultes tunisiens au cours du jeûne de ramadan.

We evaluated the effects of fasting during Ramadan on nutritional intake and plasma lipoproteins in 20 healthy adults of normal weight. A 5-day food questionnaire was completed for every participant. Clinical investigations, anthropometrical measurements and laboratory analysis were also undertaken. Body weight, blood pressure and blood glucose were not influenced by fasting but there were non-significant modifications in the plasma lipid fractions. The total cholesterol remained unchanged. Total daily energy intake was comparable before, during and after Ramadan despite the decrease in meal frequency during fasting. Thus fasting in Ramadan did not affect dietary intake, clinical, anthropometrical and most biological parameters.

[Food intake, and anthropometrical and biological parameters in adult Tunisians during Ramadan]

We evaluated the effects of fasting during Ramadan on nutritional intake and plasma lipoproteins in 20 healthy adults of normal weight. A 5-day food questionnaire was completed for every participant. Clinical investigations, anthropometrical measurements and laboratory analysis were also undertaken. Body weight, blood pressure and blood glucose were not influenced by fasting but there were non-significant modifications in the plasma lipid fractions. The total cholesterol remained unchanged. Total daily energy intake was comparable before, during and after Ramadan despite the decrease in meal frequency during fasting. Thus fasting in Ramadan did not affect dietary intake, clinical, anthropometrical and most biological parameters

[Study of anemia in giardiasis intestinalis in Tunisian preschool children]. / Etude de l'anemie au cours de la giardiase chez des enfants Tunisiens d'age prescolaire.

The present work is based upon a prospective in study done in a semi-urban area of suburbs of Tunis, from february to November 1997. A total of 302 children aged between 6 month to 5 years were enrolled in the survey. The study aimed at assessing the extention of parasitoses in preschool aged children. The relationship between the Giardiasis intestinalis and ferropenic anemia. The prevalence of anemia is 31.78% (n = 302). The parasitologic analysis has shown that 113 children out of 302 are infected; 37.41%. We observed an obvious predominance of Giardia Lamblia: 62% (n = 113) pathogenic protozoon. The rate of anemia parasited children is amounted to 19.78%. During the Giardiasis, anemia is present in 23.17% of the cases. The Polyparasitism concerns 16% of the infested children. This anemia could be caused by a global bad absorption syndrome or by a ferro-elective bad absorption. A proper sanitary education, a purification action and also a curative treatment of the beaners carriers will be the only guarantees to decrease its morbidity.