Determination of aflatoxin M1 levels in Iranian white and cream cheese

A screening survey on the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was accomplished on 210 cheese samples composed of white cheese (116 samples) and cream cheese (94 samples) purchased from popular markets in central part of Iran (Esfahan and Yazd provinces). The quantitative analysis of AFM1 levels in the samples was performed by using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Aflatoxin M1 at measurable level (50 ng/kg) was detected in 161 (76.6%) samples, consisting of 93 (80.1%) white and 68 (72.3%) cream cheese samples. The concentration of AFM1 in the samples ranged from 52.1 to 785.4 ng/kg. Comparing to legal regulation (250 ng/kg) accepted by some of the countries, 24.2% of the samples exceeded the accepted limit. Among these, the AFM1 levels in 28.4% of white and 19.1% of cream cheese samples were not in accordance with the safety limit. The results indicated that contamination of the samples with AFM1 in such a level appear to be a potential hazard for public health. This paper represents the data of the first survey on the occurrence of AFM1 in cheeses consumed in central part of Ira

Role of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: a review of epidemiological and clinical studies

The worldwide increasing prevalence oftype 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses an immense public health hazard leading to a variety of complications such as cardiovascular diseases, nephropathy and neuropathy. Diet, as a key component of a healthy human lifestyle, plays an important role in the prevention and management of T2DM and its complications. The dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated with various favourable functions such as anti-inflammatory effects, improving endothelial function, controlling the blood pressure, and reducing hypertriglyceridemia and insulin insensitivity. According to some epidemiological studies, a lower prevalence of T2DM was found in populations consuming large amounts of seafood products, which are rich in n-3 PUFAs. However, the evidence on the relation between fish intake, dietary n-3 PUFAs, and risk of T2DM is controversial. Therefore, this paper aimed to review the epidemiological and clinical studies on the role of dietary n-3 PUFAs in T2DM. Also, the limitations of these studies and the need for potential further research on the subject are discussed

Effects of vitamin D on serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background & aims The effect of vitamin D on lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of vitamin D on serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) of these patients to elucidate the subject. Methods Seven databases were searched and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the effect of vitamin D on lipid profile published until November 2015 were identified. Un-standardized mean difference and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated from the effect sizes by using random effects model. Results We found 2220 articles in our systematic search, after exclusion of un-related studies we enrolled 17 studies comparing intervention group (received vitamin D) with control group (received placebo) in the meta-analysis. Vitamin D significantly reduced serum TC (−3.74 mg/dl, 95% CI: −7.13 to −0.34, P = 0.031), but serum TG did not show significant reduction (−4.90 mg/dl, 95% CI: −15.11–5.31, P = 0.347). Results confirmed the significant lowering effect of vitamin D on LDL in patients with T2D (−2.55 mg/dl, 95% CI: −4.83 to −0.26, P = 0.029), but change in serum HDL was negligible (−0.72 mg/dl, 95% CI: −1.27 to −0.17, P = 0.010). Subgroup analyses showed that the baseline serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D of patients, vitamin D dosage, intervention duration, and the method of vitamin D application influence the effect of vitamin D on lipid markers. Conclusion This study demonstrated that vitamin D improved serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL in patients with T2D but changes of serum HDL was not satisfactory

Parenteral immunonutrition in patients with acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background & aims: Acute pancreatitis is a systemic immunoinflammatory response to auto-digestion of the pancrease and peri-pancreatic organs. Patients with acute pancreatitis can rapidly develop nutritional deficiency; hence nutritional support is important and critical. Sometimes parenteral nutrition (PN) is inevitable in acute pancreatitis. Due to immunosuppressive and inflammatory nature of the disease, it seems that immunonutrients like glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids (u-3 FAs) added to parenteral formulas may improve the conditions. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of parenteral immunonutrition on clinical outcomes (infectious complications, length of hospital stay (LOS) and mortality) in patients with acute pancreatitis. Methods: A computerized literature search on four databases (PubMed, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science, and Iran Medex) was performed to find all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the effects of parenteral immunonutrition in acute pancreatitis. Necessary data were extracted and quality assessment of RCTs was performed with consensus in the study team. Fixed effects model was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Results: One hundred and ninety four references were found via our search in which 7 articles matched our criteria for enrolling the meta-analysis. Parenteral immunonutrition significantly reduced the risk of infectious complications (RR ¼ 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39e0.88; p 0.05) and mortality (RR ¼ 0.26; 95% CI, 0.11 e0.59; p 0.001). LOS was also shorter in patients who received immunonutrition (MD ¼ 2.93 days; 95% CI, e4.70 to 1.15; p 0.001). Conclusion: Immunonutrients like glutamine and u-3 FAs added to parenteral formulas can improve prognoses in patients with acute pancreatitis. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved. 1

The association between mercury levels and autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background & aims: The relationship between mercury and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has always been a topic of controversy among researchers. This study aimed to assess the relationship between ASD and mercury levels in hair, urine, blood, red blood cells (RBC), and brain through a meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search was performed in several databases including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane register of controlled trials, Google Scholar, Scopus, and MagIran until June 2017. Case-control studies evaluating concentration of total mercury in different tissues of ASD patients and comparing them to the healthy subjects (control group) were identified. Necessary data were extracted and random effects model was used to calculate overall effect and its 95% corresponding confidence interval (CI) from the effect sizes. Results: A total of 44 studies were identified that met the necessary criteria for meta-analysis. The mercury level in whole blood (Hedges = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.74, P = 0.007), RBC (Hedges = 1.61, 95% CI: 0.83, 2.38, P < 0.001), and brain (0.61 ng/g, 95% CI, 0.02, 1.19, P = 0.043) was significantly higher in ASD patients than healthy subjects, whereas mercury level in hair (−0.14 mg/g, 95% CI: −0.28, −0.01, P = 0.039) was significantly lower in ASD patients than healthy subjects. The mercury level in urine was not significantly different between ASD patients and healthy subjects (0.51 mg/g creatinine, 95% CI: −0.14, 1.16, P = 0.121). Conclusions: Results of the current meta-analysis revealed that mercury is an important causal factor in the etiology of ASD. It seems that the detoxification and excretory mechanisms are impaired in ASD patients which lead to accumulation of mercury in the body. Future additional studies on mercury levels in different tissues of ASD patients should be undertaken

Comparative study of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues of farmed and wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using ICP-OES techniq...

The objective of this research was to determine the differences between farmed and wild rainbow trout in terms of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues. The samples were analyzed for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr and Zn by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES); and for Hg by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). The results were expressed as μg/g of dry weight. With the exception of Ba and Sr, liver had significantly higher heavy metal and trace element concentrations compared to the muscle in farmed or wild fish. Higher levels of Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn and Zn, as well as lower levels of Cu and Sr were found in tissues of wild rainbow trout compared to its farmed relative. Levels of Cd in 41.6% of farmed fish samples and 45.8% of wild fish samples exceeded the European Commission regulation. Regarding the Pb, concentrations in 50% of farmed fish samples and 62.5% of wild ones were above the European Commission limit. However, levels of Hg and As in all of the examined samples were lower than the legislated limits. The differences in heavy metal and trace element accumulation observed between farmed and wild fish were probably related to the differences in their environmental conditions and dietary element concentrations

Seasonal variation of aflatoxin M 1 contamination in industrial and traditional Iranian dairy products

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in 682 dairy product samples consisting of raw milk of cow, goat and sheep; Lighvan cheese; and industrial and traditional yoghurt, Kashk and Doogh samples collected from popular markets and dairy ranches in four large Iranian cities. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique was used for analysis of the samples. Results showed that the incidence and levels of AFM1 contamination in raw cow milk and industrial products (manufactured from cow milk) were higher than raw goat or sheep milk, and traditional products (made from goat and sheep milk), respectively. Moreover, seasonal variations influenced the concentration of AFM1 in most of the analyzed dairy products. Owing to the abundance and popularity of the industrial products, contamination of these products in such a level could be a potential hazard for public health

The association between serum selenium and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Results of the studies about association between serum selenium concentration and gestational hyperglycemia are inconsistent. Some studies have demonstrated that women with gestational diabetesmellitus (GDM) have lower Se concentrations while contrary results are reported in other studies. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the serum Se concentration in women with GDM and normoglycemic pregnant women via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A computerized literature search on four databases (PubMed, Cochrane register of control trials, Scopus and Google scholar) was performed from inception through August 2013. Necessary data were extracted and random effects model was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Results: Six observational studies (containing 147 women with GDM and 360 normoglycemic pregnant women) were found, which had compared serum Se concentration in women suffering from GDM with normal pregnant ones. Our meta-analysis revealed that serum Se concentration was lower in women with GDM compared to normoglycemic pregnant women (Hedges = −1.34; 95% CI: −2.33 to −0.36; P < 0.01). Stratified meta-analysis demonstrated that concentration of Se in the sera of women with GDM was lower than normal pregnant women both in second and third trimesters, but the result was not significant in second trimester (second trimester: Hedges = −0.68; 95% CI: −1.60−0.25; P = 0.15, third trimester: Hedges = −2.81; 95% CI: −5.21 to −0.42; P < 0.05). It was also demonstrated that serum Se status was lower in pregnant women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) compared to normoglycemic pregnant women (Hedges = −0.85; 95% CI: −1.18 to −0.52). Conclusion: The available evidences suggest that serum Se concentration is significantly lower in pregnant women with gestational hyperglycemia compared to normal pregnant women

Effects of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on glycemic status, anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover in diabetic postmenopausal women: a rando...

Background & aims: Low levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) are common in type 2 diabetic patients and cause several complications particularly, in postmenopausal women due to their senile and physiological conditions. This study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on glycemic status, anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover in diabetic postmenopausal women. Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel-group clinical trial, 59 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes received fortified yogurt (FY; 2000 IU vitamin D in 100 g/day) or plain yogurt (PY) for 12 weeks. Glycemic markers, anthropometric indexes, inflammatory, and bone turnover markers were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: After intervention, in FY group (vs PY group), were observed: significant increase in serum 25(OH)D and decrease of PTH (stable values in PY); significant improvement in serum fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, QUICKI, and no changes in serum fasting glucose and HbA1c (significant worsening of all indexes in PY); significant improvement in WC, WHR, FM, and no change in weight and BMI (stable values in PY); significant increase of omentin (stable in PY) and decrease of sNTX (significant increase in PY). Final values of glycemic markers (except HbA1c), omentin, and bone turnover markers significantly improved in FY group compared to PY group. Regarding final values of serum 25(OH)D in FY group, subjects were classified in insufficient and sufficient categories. Glycemic status improved more significantly in the insufficient rather than sufficient category; whereas the other parameters had more amelioration in the sufficient category. Conclusions: Daily consumption of 2000 IU vitamin D-fortified yogurt for 12 weeks improved glycemic markers (except HbA1c), anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes

Aflatoxin M<inf>1</inf> in human breast milk in Shahrekord, Iran and association with dietary factors

This survey was conducted to determine the occurrence and levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in 250 breast milk samples of lactating mothers, obtained from urban and rural regions of Shahrekord, Iran. Moreover, the association between AFM1 occurrence levels and dietary factors was assessed. AFM1 analysis was carried out using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique for screening and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC–FLD) for confirmatory purposes. The toxin was detected in 39 samples (15.6%), ranging from 11.1 to 39.3 ng/l, of which 8 samples (3.2%) had levels above the Iranian national standard limit (25 ng/l). AFM1 occurrence and levels in breast milk samples obtained from rural regions were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those obtained from urban ones. It might be due to the different dietary patterns in these regions. It was found that dietary habits with more tendencies to consume bread, rice and non-alcoholic beer beverage significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) the risk of AFM1 occurrence in breast milk. In addition, higher consumption of bread, olive and traditional cream significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) the levels of AFM1 in breast milk samples. Further investigations should be performed to determine more precisely the association between AFM1 occurrence and dietary factors and also the risk of infant exposure to this mycotoxin. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group