Effect of yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® on faecal excretion of secretory immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin 2 in healthy adult volunteers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Probiotics are used to provide health benefits. The present study tested the effect of a probiotic yoghurt on faecal output of beta-defensin and immunoglobulin A in a group of young healthy women eating a defined diet.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>26 women aged 18-21 (median 19) years residing in a hostel were given 200 ml normal yoghurt every day for a week, followed by probiotic yoghurt containing <it>Bifidobacterium lactis </it>Bb12^®(10⁹in 200 ml) for three weeks, followed again by normal yoghurt for four weeks. Stool samples were collected at 0, 4 and 8 weeks and assayed for immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin-2 by ELISA. All participants tolerated both normal and probiotic yoghurt well. Human beta-defensin-2 levels in faeces were not altered during the course of the study. On the other hand, compared to the basal sample, faecal IgA increased during probiotic feeding (P = 0.0184) and returned to normal after cessation of probiotic yoghurt intake.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>Bifidobacterium lactis </it>Bb12^®increased secretory IgA output in faeces. This property may explain the ability of probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tract infections.</p

Plasma Antioxidant Vitamins Levels and Lipid Peroxidation in Breast Cancer Patients

Oxidative stress arises when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and scavenging capacity of antioxidants, and it can induce and progress many diseases such as breast cancer. The present study was conducted to investigate the status of plasma antioxidative vitamins (E and C) and lipid peroxidation on 50 untreated breast cancer patients and 50 healthy age-matched women. The results revealed that plasma vitamin E and vitamin E adjusted for the sum of cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly in patients group (P&lt; 0.05). We could also observe that vitamin E adjusted for lipid was significantly different in various stages of breast cancer. On the other hand, the level of malondialdehyde increased significantly in patients as compared to the controls (P &lt;0.05). There were no significant changes in plasma vitamin C between two groups. According to the findings, attention to the level of plasma antioxidant vitamins and lipid peroxidation is of great importance to promote the level of health in women suffering from breast cancer

Food Insecurity and some Associated Socioeconomic Factors Among Women with Metabolic Syndrome Referred to Clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract Background & aim: Food insecurity is defined as limited availability at all times to sufficient food of an active life. The aim of this study was assessing the food insecurity status and some associated socioeconomic factors in women with metabolic syndrome. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 women between 30-60 years of age with metabolic syndrome referred to health centers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2011. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and food insecurity status were assessed using demographic and the 18-item Agriculture Organization of the United States of America household food security questionnaires, respectively. Data were analyzed by Chi-square, t-tests and Logistic Regression statistical tests. Results: Prevalence of food insecurity in the population was 69.2%. Logistic regression showed the independent variables affecting food insecurity in women with metabolic syndrome were household economic status, family size, and income respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Due to high rate of food insecurity in women with metabolic syndrome, perhaps reducing food insecurity is associated with reduced metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce food insecurity in the society, especially among women. Key words: Food Insecurity, Metabolic Syndrome, Wome

A School-Based Intervention to Reduce Excess Weight in Overweight and Obese Primary School Students

Background: This study evaluated the effect of an intervention for reducing excess weight gain in primary school-age children in Tehran. Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 12 primary schools in Tehran. Three hundred thirty-four pupils, 167 in the intervention and 167 in the comparison group, determined to be overweight or obese based on World Health Organization standards, were recruited for the study. The intervention included nutrition education and increased physical activity (PA) for the pupils, lifestyle modification for parents, and a change in food items sold at the schools� canteens. The entire intervention lasted approximately 18 weeks. Measures were taken before and immediately after the intervention. Results: The intervention significantly reduced body mass index Z-score and hip circumference (p =.003 and p <.001, respectively). Waist circumference increased in both groups, but the increase was higher in the comparison group (p =.001). No significant difference was seen in time spent on TV viewing between groups (p =.08). Vigorous PA increased in the intervention group (p <.001), while the comparison group showed an increase in moderate activity only (p <.001). Energy intake increased significantly in the intervention group (p <.001). Neither triceps skinfold thickness nor time spent on the computer changed in the intervention group (p =.51 and p =.1, respectively), while they increased in the comparison group (p <.001 and p =.004, respectively). Conclusion: The study provides a successful model for the implementation of similar interventions throughout the country. © 2016, © The Author(s) 2016