The Influences of Chromium Supplementation on Metabolic Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Heart Disease

This investigation was conducted to determine the effects of chromium supplementation on metabolic status in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 64 diabetic patients with CHD between October 2017 and January 2018. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to obtain either 200 μg chromium (n = 32) or placebo (n = 32) for 12 weeks. Chromium supplementation significantly reduced body weight (� 0.9 ± 1.6 vs. + 0.1 ± 0.8 kg, P = 0.001), BMI (� 0.4 ± 0.7 vs. + 0.1 ± 0.3 kg/m2, P = 0.002), fasting glucose (β � 11.03 mg/dL; 95 CI, � 18.97, � 3.09; P = 0.007), insulin (β � 1.33 μIU/mL; 95 CI, � 1.90, � 0.76; P < 0.001), and insulin resistance (β � 0.44; 95 CI, � 0.62, � 0.25; P < 0.001) and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (β 0.007; 95 CI, 0.003, 0.01; P < 0.001) compared with the placebo. In addition, taking chromium led to a significant reduction in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β � 0.49 mg/L; 95 CI, � 0.91, � 0.06; P = 0.02) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (β � 0.22 μmol/L; 95 CI, � 0.35, � 0.10; P = 0.001); also, a significant rise in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (β 84.54 mmol/L; 95 CI, 31.05, 138.02; P = 0.002) was observed in comparison with placebo. Additionally, chromium administration significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (β � 5.01 mmHg; 95 CI, � 9.04, � 0.97; P = 0.01) compared with the placebo. Overall, the 12-week supplementation of chromium to diabetic patients with CHD had beneficial impacts on weight, BMI, glycemic control, hs-CRP, TAC, MDA, and DBP. Trial Registration www.irct.ir: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N30. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

The effects of combined magnesium and zinc supplementation on metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease

Background: The present research aimed to analyze the impacts of magnesium and zinc supplements on glycemic control, serum lipids, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: According to the research design, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial has been implemented on 60 subjects suffering from CHD and T2DM. Therefore, participants have been randomly divided into 2 groups for taking placebo (n = 30) or 250 mg magnesium oxide plus 150 mg zinc sulfate (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Results: Magnesium and zinc significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (β - 9.44 mg/dL, 95 CI, - 18.30, - 0.57; P = 0.03) and insulin levels (β - 1.37 μIU/mL, 95 CI, - 2.57, - 0.18; P = 0.02). Moreover, HDL-cholesterol levels significantly enhanced (β 2.09 mg/dL, 95 CI, 0.05, 4.13; P = 0.04) in comparison to the placebo. There was an association between magnesium and zinc intake, and a significant decrease of C-reactive protein (CRP) (β - 0.85 mg/L, 95 CI, - 1.26, - 0.45; P < 0.001), a significant increase in total nitrite (β 5.13 μmol/L, 95 CI, 1.85, 8.41; P = 0.003) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (β 43.44 mmol/L, 95 CI, 3.39, 83.50; P = 0.03) when compared with placebo. Furthermore, magnesium and zinc significantly reduced the Beck Depression Inventory index (BDI) (β - 1.66; 95 CI, - 3.32, - 0.009; P = 0.04) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (β - 1.30; 95 CI, - 2.43, - 0.16; P = 0.02) when compared with the placebo. Conclusions: In patients with T2DM and CHD, the 12-week intake of magnesium plus zinc had beneficial effects on FPG, HDL-cholesterol, CRP, insulin, total nitrite, TAC levels, and BDI and BAI score. This suggests that magnesium and zinc co-supplementation may be beneficial for patients with T2DM and CHD. Further studies on more patients and lasting longer are needed to determine the safety of magnesium and zinc co-supplementation. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20130211012438N31 at 11 May 2019 of registration. This study retrospectively registered. © 2020 The Author(s)

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in People with Overweight, Diabetes, and Coronary Heart Disease: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Synbiotics are known to exert multiple beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of synbiotic supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in people with overweight, diabetes, and coronary heart disease (CHD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted and involved 60 people with overweight, diabetes, and CHD, aged 50�85 years old. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to take either synbiotic supplements containing three probiotic bacteria spices Lactobacillus acidophilus strain T16 (IBRC-M10785), Lactobacillus casei strain T2 (IBRC-M10783), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain T1 (IBRC-M10771) (2 � 10 9  CFU/g each) plus 800 mg inulin or placebo (n = 30 each group) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention period to determine metabolic variables. After the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (� 3101.7 ± 5109.1 vs. � 6.2 ± 3163.6 ng/mL, P = 0.02), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (� 0.6 ± 1.0 vs. � 0.1 ± 0.3 μmol/L, P = 0.01), and significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) levels (+ 7.8 ± 10.3 vs. � 3.6 ± 6.9 μmol/L, P &lt; 0.001). We did not observe any significant changes of synbiotic supplementation on other biomarkers of oxidative stress and CIMT levels. Overall, synbiotic supplementation for 12 weeks among people with overweight, diabetes, and CHD had beneficial effects on serum hs-CRP, plasma NO, and MDA levels; however, it did not have any effect on other biomarkers of oxidative stress and CIMT levels. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Perceptions of teachers and directors about the factors that promote or constrain environmental education in schools of Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina

El trabajo aborda las percepciones de docentes y directores de escuelas acerca delos factores que promueven u obstaculizan una educación ambiental compleja, generadora de conocimientos, con dispositivos participativos y orientados a la equidad en instituciones educativas del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Como resultado se observaron experiencias heterogéneas y voluntad de instalar nuevas prácticas, pero con factores que limitan el cambio: pautas culturales arraigadas; deficiencias en la capacitación docente, en cuanto a las políticas públicas; poca claridad en las definiciones sobre los objetivos de la educación ambiental, su abordaje curricular y los dispositivos pedagógicos. Prevalecen enfoques fragmentados, naturalistas y la ausencia de una visión crítica. A nivel institucional, se discute lapertinencia de implementar prácticas sustentables en el aula. Las propias percepciones también operan como obstáculos. Todo esto dificulta la adopción de nuevas acciones de educación ambiental con el ímpetu necesario para sostenerlas en el tiempo.The paper examines the perceptions of teachers and directors regarding the factors that promote or constrain complex environmental education, which generates knowledge, with participatory devices and oriented to equity in educational institutions in Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (Argentina). As result, we detected heterogeneous experiences and willingness to set new practices up. But there are factors limiting the change: deep-rooted cultural customs; shortcomings in terms of teacher training; in public policies a lack of clarity about environmental education objectives, curricular approach and pedagogical devices. Fragmented and naturalists approaches, and lack of a critical perspective prevail. At the institutional level, the relevance of implementing sustainable practices in classroom is discussed. Perceptions also operate as obstacles. All this hinders the adoption of new environmental education actions and the momentum needed to sustain them over time.Fil: Saidon, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Claverie, Julieta Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero. Nucleo Interd de Formación y Est P/e/des D/l/educ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Assessment of Ecological Connectivity of Urban Green Patches Using Graph Theory: the Case study of Ahvaz Metropolitan Area

Connectivity of urban green patches is an important structural attribute of urban landscape that facilitates the species movement and transfer of their genes among their habitats. So far, several methods including Graph Theory have been applied to assess ecological connectivity. This research was aimed&nbsp; to study the application of graph theory to measure the connectivity of green patches in the city ofAhvaz .The Graph is a mathematical concept including nodes and links. The research method is based on modeling the network of green patches in the GIS environment using Graph Theory. The ecological connectivity was analyzed using the software Conefor Sensinode 2.6, by applying IIC metric and node-removal algorithm; thus, the urban green patches were ranked in relation to 4 different groups of species. Generally, similar results were achieved by applying the attributes of four different species (r=0.95). The study results showed that Ahvaz fourth district in the eastern side of Karoon River comprised the largest and the most significant green patch. Also, the fourth and fifth distincts of the city were relatively the most connected. Determining the more significant green patches and improving the connectivity of urban landscape could&nbsp; help the accurate identification of conservation priorities whichwould&nbsp; ensure financial savings in urban planning and decision making. &nbsp

The effects of coenzyme Q10 administration on glucose homeostasis parameters, lipid profiles, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with metabolic syndrome

Background: Limited data are available indicating the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on metabolic status of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Purpose: The present study was conducted to determine the effects of CoQ10 administration on glucose homeostasis parameters, lipid profiles, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among patients with MetS. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 60 overweight or obese and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with coronary heart disease aged 40�85 years old. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A (n = 30) received 100 mg CoQ10 supplements and group B (n = 30) received placebo for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and after 8-week intervention to quantify glucose homeostasis parameters, lipid profiles and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Results: Compared with the placebo, CoQ10 supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum insulin levels (�2.1 ± 7.1 vs. +4.1 ± 7.8 µIU/mL, P = 0.002) and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (�0.7 ± 2.1 vs. +1.0 ± 2.0, P = 0.002) and homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (�5.9 ± 22.2 vs. +15.9 ± 34.0, P = 0.005). In addition, patients who received CoQ10 supplements had a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+26.0 ± 105.0 vs. �162.2 ± 361.8 mmol/L, P = 0.008) compared with the placebo group. However, after adjustment for the baseline levels, age and baseline BMI, the effect on TAC levels (P = 0.08) disappeared. Additionally, compared with the placebo group, a significant positive trends in plasma glutathione (P = 0.06) and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (P = 0.08) were seen among patients who received CoQ10 supplement. We did not observe any significant changes in fasting plasma glucose, lipid concentrations and inflammatory markers. Conclusions: Overall, daily intake of 100 mg CoQ10 supplements among patients with MetS for 8 weeks had beneficial effects on serum insulin levels, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B and plasma TAC concentrations. Clinical trial registration number: www.irct.ir: IRCT201502245623N35. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Effect of Stabilized Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles on Nitrate Removal from Sandy Soil

Introduction: During the recent decades, the use of N fertilizers has undeniable development regardless of their effects on the soil and environment. Increasing nitrate ion concentration in soil solution and then, leaching it into groundwater causes increase nitrate concentration in the water and raise the risk suffering from the people to some diseases. World health organization recommended maximum concentration level for nitrate and nitrite in the drinking water 50 and 3 mg/l, respectively. There are different technologies for the removal of nitrate ions from aqueous solution. The conventional methods are ion exchange, biological denitrification, reverse osmosis and chemical reduction. Using nanoscale Fe0 particles compared to other methods of nitrate omission was preferred because of; its high surface area, more reactive, lower cost and higher efficiency. More studies on the reduction of nitrate by zero-valent iron nanoparticles have been in aqueous solutions or in the soil in batch scale. Nanoparticles surface modified with poly-electrolytes, surfactants and polymers cause colloidal stability of the particles against the forces of attraction between particles and increases nanoparticle transport in porous media. The objectives of this study were to synthesize carboxymethyl cellulose stabilized zero-valent iron nanoparticles and consideration of their application for nitrate removal from sandy soil. Materials and Methods: The nanoparticles were synthesized in a lab using borohydride reduction method and their morphological characteristics were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Experiments were conducted on packed sand column (40 cm length and 2.5 cm inner diameter) under conditions of different nanoparticle concentration (1, 2, and 3 g1-1)and high initial NO3- concentration (150, 250, and 350 mgl-1). Homogeneous soil column was filled with the wet packed method. CMC-NZVI suspensions of nanoparticle in aqueous solution (0.01 M CaCl2 and 0.001MKCl) were pumped into the sand column during the injection of nitrate solution. During transport experiment, the flask containing CMC-ZVIN suspension was sonicated using a 50 KH ultrasonicator (DSA100-SK2) to prevent particle agglomeration and ensure homogeneity of the suspensions. In these experiments pore water velocity was 0.16 mms-1. Nitrate and Nitrite concentrations in the samples were measured using UV-VIS.HACH DR 5000 spectrophotometer at wavelengths 220 and 530nm, respectively, and ammonium concentration was measured by Kjeldahl method. All chemicals used in this research were of chemical grades and all solutions were prepared using deionized water (DI). Results and Discussion: Effect of nanoparticles and nitrate concentration on nitrate reduction by stabilized nanoparticle in sand column was investigated. The Results of study indicating at the first of reaction in both cases rate and amount of nitrate reduction was increased gradually. But over time, due to saturation capacity of nanoparticles at higher concentrations of nitrate, reduction speed and amount of reduction was constant approximately. The result showed that increasing dosage of nanoparticles and decreasing the influent nitrate concentration would increase percentage of nitrate reduction. Maximum percentage of reduction (82.56%) were observed at nanoparticles concentration=3 gl-1 and high initial nitrate concentration=150 mgl-1 and minimum percentage of reduction (63.94%) were observed at nanoparticles concentration=1 gl-1 and high initial nitrate concentration=150 mgl-1. After the end of experiment time, amount of observed ammonium and nitrite was a few in the drainage water of sand column. During the reaction nitrate reduction by nano-particles, H + was used and OH- was produced therefore through reaction, environment pH increased continuously. In conditions of alkaline, ammonium release in the form of N2. Therefore reduction of the amount of ammonium may due to high pH of environment reaction or fixation of ammonium in the surface colloidal of particles in porous medium. Nitrite is an intermediate product and due to the reaction conditions can be converted to ammonia or nitrogen gas. The final product of reduction would be nitrogen gas, and produced nitrite and ammonium was less than 2%. Conclusion: The results indicate that, in all experiments (effect of nanoparticle and nitrate concentration on nitrate reduction), amount of observed ammonium and nitrite was a few in the drainage water of sand column and most of the nitrate converted to nitrogen gas. Since maximum concentration level of ammonium in drinking water is 50 times less than nitrate concentration, nitrogen gas is an ideal product in water treatment process. Carboxymethyl cellulose prevents agglomeration ZVI nanoparticles and enhanced the reactivity and transport of nanoparticle in the porous media. The findings of this research demonstrated that carboxymethyl cellulose-stabilized zero-valent iron nanoparticles have a high potential for reduction of nitrate in aqueous solutions and porous media. Therefore, it can be used as an effective method for removing nitrate from water

Long-Term Vitamin D Supplementation Affects Metabolic Status in Vitamin D-Deficient Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Vitamin D might be beneficial in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) through its favorable effects on metabolic profiles and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Objective: This study was performed to examine the effects of 6 mo of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic status in diabetic patients with CAD. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 60 vitamin D–deficient diabetic patients with CAD aged 40–85 y. Subjects were randomly assigned into 2 groups to take either 50,000-IU vitamin D supplements (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) every 2 wk for 6 mo. Fasting blood samples were obtained at the beginning of the study and after the 6-mo intervention to quantify glycemic indicators, lipid concentrations, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Results: Compared with placebo, vitamin D supplementation resulted in significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (−14.9 ± 7.1 compared with +19.3 ± 7.1 mg/dL; P = 0.001), serum insulin (−2.7 ± 1.1 compared with +1.8 ± 1.1 μIU/mL; P = 0.006), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (−0.7 ± 0.3 compared with +0.5 ± 0.3; P = 0.01), and β cell function (−9.1 ± 4.2 compared with +5.7 ± 4.2; P = 0.01) and a significant increase in serum vitamin D (+6.8 ± 0.9 compared with +0.1 ± 0.9 ng/mL; P < 0.001) and the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (+0.008 ± 0.004 compared with −0.007 ± 0.004; P = 0.01). In addition, changes in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; −1.0 ± 0.5 compared with +0.6 ± 0.5 μg/mL; P = 0.02), plasma nitric oxide (NO; +7.0 ± 2.0 compared with −4.6 ± 2.0 μmol/L; P < 0.001), total reduced glutathione (GSH; +104 ± 16.4 compared with +24.8 ± 16.4 μmol/L; P = 0.001), and malondialdehyde concentrations (−0.2 ± 0.1 compared with +0.2 ± 0.1 μmol/L; P < 0.001) in the supplemented group were significantly different from the changes in these indicators in the placebo group. Conclusions: Overall, 6 mo of vitamin D supplementation among vitamin D–deficient diabetic patients with CAD had beneficial effects on glycemic control and serum hs-CRP, NO, GSH, and malondialdehyde concentrations. This trial was registered on the Iranian website (www.irct.ir) for registration of clinical trials as IRCT201510315623N56

Selenium Supplementation Affects Insulin Resistance and Serum hs-CRP in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease

To our knowledge, this study is the first indicating the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress of patients with T2DM and CHD. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 60 patients with T2DM and CHD aged 40-85 years. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A received 200 μg selenium supplements (n=30) and group B received placebo per day (n=30) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and after 8-week intervention to quantify metabolic profiles. After 8 weeks, compared with the placebo, selenium supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin levels (- 2.2±4.6 vs. + 3.6±8.4 μIU/ml, p=0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (- 0.7±1.3 vs. + 0.9±2.4, p=0.004), homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (HOMA-B) (- 7.5±17.2 vs. + 15.1±34.5, p=0.002) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01±0.03 vs. - 0.01±0.03, p=0.02). In addition, patients who received selenium supplements had a significant reduction in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (- 1 372.3±2 318.8 vs. - 99.8±1 453.6 ng/ml, p=0.01) and a significant rise in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+ 301.3±400.6 vs. - 127.2±428.0 mmol/l, p<0.001) compared with the placebo. A 200 μg/day selenium supplementation among patients with T2DM and CHD resulted in a significant decrease in insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, serum hs-CRP, and a significant increase in QUICKI score and TAC concentrations. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The effects of resveratrol on metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease

This study was performed to investigate the effects of resveratrol on metabolic status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed with 56 patients having T2DM and CHD. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive either 500 mg resveratrol per day (n = 28) or placebo (n = 28) for 4 weeks. Resveratrol reduced fasting glucose (β-10.04 mg dL-1; 95 CI,-18.23,-1.86; P = 0.01), insulin (β-1.09 μIU mL-1; 95 CI,-1.93,-0.24; P = 0.01) and insulin resistance (β-0.48; 95 CI,-0.76,-0.21; P = 0.001) and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (β 0.006; 95 CI, 0.001, 0.01; P = 0.02) when compared with the placebo. Resveratrol also significantly increased HDL-cholesterol levels (β 3.38 mg dL-1; 95 CI, 1.72, 5.05; P &lt; 0.001) and significantly decreased the total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (β-0.36; 95 CI,-0.59,-0.13; P = 0.002) when compared with the placebo. Additionally, resveratrol caused a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (β 58.88 mmol L-1; 95 CI, 17.33, 100.44; P = 0.006) and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (β-0.21 μmol L-1; 95 CI,-0.41,-0.005; P = 0.04) when compared with the placebo. Resveratrol upregulated PPAR-γ (P = 0.01) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) (P = 0.01) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of T2DM patients with CHD. Resveratrol supplementation did not have any effect on inflammatory markers. Four-week supplementation of resveratrol in patients with T2DM and CHD had beneficial effects on glycemic control, HDL-cholesterol levels, the total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio, TAC and MDA levels. Resveratrol also upregulated PPAR-γ and SIRT1 in the PBMCs of T2DM patients with CHD. © 2019 The Royal Society of Chemistry