The associations of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers with obesity in Iranian population: MASHAD cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade inflammation and stress oxidative condition play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity, and the serum levels of these markers, such as pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and uric acid may indicate obesity progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity with PAB, hs-CRP, and uric acid in the Iranian population. METHODS: This study was derived from the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study. A total of 7985 subjects aged 35 to 65 years were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) as: normal, overweight and obese groups. Anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters such as PAB, superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1), hs-CRP, and uric acid were measured in all the participants. We evaluated the association of obesity with inflammatory factors by using multivariate regression analysis. Also, those participants with hypertension, an endocrine disorder, history of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. RESULTS: There was a positive significant correlation between BMI and serum PAB, hs-CRP and uric acid (p < 0.001). While no statistically significant relation was observed between BMI and SOD1 (p = 0.85). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the risk of overweight and obesity increased 1.02 and 1.03-fold according to increase 10 units of PAB raise in comparison to reference group (normal weight) [(odds ratio (OR): 1.02, 95% CI (1.01-1.03)] and [OR: 1.03, 95% CI (1.01-1.04)], respectively). In addition, hs-CRP serum concentration was significantly associated with a high risk of obesity [(OR: 1.02; 95% CI (1.01-1.03)]. While the high levels of serum uric acid were associated with increased odds of overweight and obesity risk [OR: 1.4; CI (1.39-1.58) and OR: 1.76; CI (1.63-1.89), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, we showed a significant association between BMI and serum PAB, hs-CRP values and uric acid levels, suggesting the role of these factors as risk stratification factors for obesity.

The national health program for vitamin D supplementation in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported a high frequency of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) among different age groups in Iran. AIMS: In this study, the current coverage, status of vitamin D supplement taking, and program efficacy have been evaluated by the Office of Nutrition Department Society in Iran since 2014. METHODS: This study was conducted in collaboration with the International UNESCO center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition and the Office of Nutrition Department Society. Sixty three medical universities were included in the current study to calculate the availability, accessibility and acceptability coverages. Furthermore, 3 medical universities including Mashhad (MUMS), Qom (QUMS) and Zahedan (ZAUMS) University of Medical Sciences were selected based on the results of the National Integrated Micronutrient Survey 2012 (NIMS-II study), in order to assess the status of vitamin D supplement intake in all age ranges. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis showed that availability coverage was 74.96% and 77.56% and accessibility was 80.70% and 83.26% in elderly and middle-aged subjects, respectively in 2018. The acceptability was approximately 43.7% and 43.9% among elderly and middle-aged participants, respectively. The availability and acceptability coverage was 80.99% and 85.0% among students in high schools. The mean vitamin D supplement uptake frequency was 27.0% (n = 387); 20.7% and 29.2% in rural and urban area, respectively (P = 0.001). The results showed that there was no significant difference in serum vitamin D levels between urban (20.41 ± 6.43 ng/ml) and rural areas, (P = 0.887). There was no significant difference in the serum vitamin D concentrations between men and women (P = 0.461). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of taking vitamin D supplements was 27.0% in Iran in 2018. The frequency of taking of vitamin D supplements among vitamin D deficient group (serum vitamin D levels <19.99 ng/ml) was 43.6%. Lack of knowledge was the most important reason for not taking vitamin D supplement. Moreover, the serum vitamin D levels have increased in subjects aged 18-30 years old after the implementation of the vitamin D supplementary program.

Evaluation of pro-oxidant antioxidant balance in retinopathy of prematurity.

INTRODUCTION: Retinopathy of prematurity (RoP) is a vasoproliferative disorder caused by the abnormal development of retinal vessels in premature neonates. It is one of the major causes of childhood blindness, which is increasing with the increasing survival rate of low birth weight and premature neonates. This study has aimed to evaluate the role of oxidative stress and peroxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) in the pathogenesis and prediction of RoP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 154 neonates weighing <1500 g admitted at the NICU of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study between 2018 and 2020. Blood samples were collected on the first day of birth to assess the peroxidant and antioxidant balance. The demographic, prenatal, and clinical course and postnatal problems were also recorded. The neonates were examined for RoP and divided into control (healthy) and affected (ROP) groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in gestational age, duration of oxygen therapy, and first and fifth minute Apgar score (P < 0.005). The mean PAB in infants without and with ROP was 19.79 HK (Hamidi-Koliakos) and 38.45 HK, respectively (P < 0.0001). Also, the mean PAB in neonates with ROP grade 1 and 2 was 36.69 HK and 45.53 HK, respectively (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: According to our findings, the PAB level can be helpful in predicting ROP incidence. With increasing PAB, the possibility of ROP severity will increase.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements improve the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, including markers of inflammation and auto-immunity.

OBJECTIVE: Fish-oil contains high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. We have evaluated the effects of purified omega-3 fatty acid supplements on several anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including heat shock protein (Hsp) 27 antibody titres in subjects with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Subjects (n = 120) with metabolic syndrome (mean age of 52.9 +/- 11.9 years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups: sixty subjects were given 1 gram of fish oil as a single capsule, containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid daily for 6 months. Control subjects did not receive any supplementation over the same period. RESULTS: The study was completed by 47 subjects in the intervention group and 42 subjects in the control group. Treatment with omega 3 supplements was associated with a significant fall in body weight (P < 0.05), systolic blood pressures (P < 0.05), serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05), and total cholesterol (P < 0.05), triglycerides (P < 0.05), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P < 0.01), and Hsp27 antibody titres (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: It appears that omega 3 improves the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, having effects on weight, systolic blood pressure, lipid profile and markers of inflammation and autoimmunity.