Economic and Environmental Impacts of Dietary Changes in Iran: An Input-Output Analysis

 Iran's simple and environmentally extended commodity by commodity input-output (IO) model was used to determine the impacts of dietary changes on the Iranian economy and on the environmental load. The original model is based on the status-quo diet and was modified to include the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and Mediterranean alternative dietary scenarios. A range of impacts occurred depending upon the relative changes in food items. The direction of changes was similar in the three alternative scenarios. The greatest and smallest impact occurred in the WHO and the Mediterranean scenarios respectively. Total changes in output in WHO, WCRF and Mediterranean dietary scenarios were calculated to be 7010.1, 4802.8 and 3330.8 billion Rials respectively. The outputs of rice, vegetables, fruit, bread and macaroni decreased, but those of live and other animal products increased. The output of non-food commodities and services increased as well. The environmental load increased for three dietary scenarios in comparison with the status-quo diet. The greatest and smallest environmental load occurred in WHO and Mediterranean dietary scenarios respectively. Thus, although dietary changes can have positive effects on economic output, in order to avoid negative environmental effects, it is necessary to consider strategies such as applying capabilities, particularly natural resources in an optimal healthy and environmentally diet, planning for improving forest covering and green space simultaneously with increasing economic activities and using indirect incentives, such as taxes and insurance, for promoting sustainable and healthy foods and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

The Role of Camel Milk in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic diseases worldwide. In patients with type 2 diabetes, insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis are impaired and leading to hyperglycemia. Several studies have reported that camel milk with various mechanisms can improve hyperglycemia and its subsequent complications in type 2 diabetic patients. The present study uses the information in Google Scholar and PubMed databases from 2002 to 2016 to review the role of camel milk in treatment of type 2 diabetes. The key words “type 2 diabetes”, “insulin resistance”, “oxidative stress”, “hyperglycemia”, “insulin”, and “camel milk” were used to collect information. Camel milk was shown to be effective in improving glucose homeostasis by insulin-like proteins. Also, it has RQ-8 peptide that can act as an antioxidant and reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress in the development of diabetes. This kind of milk is effective in improving insulin sensitivity due to its unique combination of fatty acids. It can be concluded that camel milk can be used as a natural product which can be useful to delay or slow down the progression of type 2 diabetes

The Prevalence of Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Misuse and its Associated Factors among Bodybuilders in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic forms of testosterone that can be misused by bodybuilders to increase their athletic performance. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and characteristics of AAS use among male bodybuilders in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 246 men attending bodybuilding clubs in Shiraz, southern Iran using multistage cluster sampling method. To collect the data, self-administered questionnaire, containing demographic questions, type of AAS used, purpose of consumption, and the recommender of AAS use were completed. Participant’s anthropometric indices were assessed using standard methods, and body composition values were measured using bioelectric impedance analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 29.09±7.76 years, and the prevalence of AAS use was 39%. Significant difference was observed in distributions of participants by bodybuilding history between AAS users and non-users. A significant higher weight, body mass index, fat free mass, total body water and lower fat mass were observed among AAS users compared with non-users. The main reason for using AAS was muscle mass increase (75.1%), and half of the participants started AAS with their trainers’ recommendation (54.1%). Conclusion: AAS misuse was prevalent amongst male bodybuilders and its consumption seems to be associated with some desirable body composition changes (higher fat free mass and lower fat mass)

Hepatoprotective effects of soy protein isolate against dimethylnitrosamine-induced acute liver injury in Sprague Dawley rat

Abstract Diseases and injuries impose oxidative stress on different organs and systems of the body. This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of soy protein isolate against acute liver toxicity induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA). Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Groups A and B consumed a casein containing diet and the Group C received a soy protein isolate (SPI) containing diet for 18 days. Group A was then given an intra-peritoneal saline injection and continued on a casein diet for another 4 days before being killed. Each animal from groups B and C was given a single intra-peritoneal injection of DMNA (30 mg/ kg) on the 18th day of the study. All groups continued their diets for 4 days before their sacrifice. The serum ALT decreased and albumin increased significantly in rats fed 20 % SPI containing diet (P \ 0.05). Histological results showed that SPI improved DMNA-induced alteration in the liver structure. Morphological and biochemical data suggest that soy protein isolate containing diet decreased DMNA-induced liver damage

Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency in Obese Adults with Increased Appetite in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Low serum zinc concentration is associated with obesity,and its deficiency has been linked to many pathogenesis aspects of obesity. The present study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of zinc deficiency in the obese adults with increased appetite in Shiraz,Fars province, south of Iran. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the serum zinc correlation with some demographic and anthropometric indices. Methods: In this study, 260 adults with the ages ranged from 25 to 55 years old were selected for serum zinc concentration. Age, sex, job, education level, physical actively, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were also recorded for each participants. Using calorimeter method, we considered the serum level of zinc less than 70µg/dL as deficient. Results: Mean serum level of zinc was 96.37 ± 18.24 µg/dL. The prevalence rate of zinc deficiency was 8%, which was more prevalent among female participants than male ones with no significant difference (9.8% and 4.6%, respectively, Pvalue = 0.14). The participants’ characteristics were not statistically different between normal and deficient groups, and serum zinc concentration had no correlation with age, sex, height, weight, BMI, WC, HC, and WHR. Conclusions: Zinc deficiency in obese adults living in Shiraz is as prevalent as other population groups, and also other regions of Iran. Zinc deficiency is considered as a possible risk factor for obesityrelated diseases, and requires more investigations. Keywords: Zinc, Deficiency, Prevalence, Obesity, Iran

Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency in Obese Adults with Increased Appetite in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Low serum zinc concentration is associated with obesity,and its deficiency has been linked to many pathogenesis aspects of obesity. The present study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of zinc deficiency in the obese adults with increased appetite in Shiraz,Fars province, south of Iran. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the serum zinc correlation with some demographic and anthropometric indices. Methods: In this study, 260 adults with the ages ranged from 25 to 55 years old were selected for serum zinc concentration. Age, sex, job, education level, physical actively, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were also recorded for each participants. Using calorimeter method, we considered the serum level of zinc less than 70µg/dL as deficient. Results: Mean serum level of zinc was 96.37 ± 18.24 µg/dL. The prevalence rate of zinc deficiency was 8%, which was more prevalent among female participants than male ones with no significant difference (9.8% and 4.6%, respectively, Pvalue = 0.14). The participants’ characteristics were not statistically different between normal and deficient groups, and serum zinc concentration had no correlation with age, sex, height, weight, BMI, WC, HC, and WHR. Conclusions: Zinc deficiency in obese adults living in Shiraz is as prevalent as other population groups, and also other regions of Iran. Zinc deficiency is considered as a possible risk factor for obesityrelated diseases, and requires more investigations. Keywords: Zinc, Deficiency, Prevalence, Obesity, Iran

The Evaluation of Adherence to Dietary and Liquid Intake Recommendations in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Non-adherence of hemodialysis patients to their recommended diet, and limitations on fluid intake, leads to the production of toxic substances and metabolites in the bloodstream, which can increase the risk of mortality in these patients. This study evaluated the adherence to dietary and liquid intake recommendations in hemodialysis patients. Methods: One hundred and four hemodialysis patients were evaluated for dietary intake and adherence to dietary recommendations. Their diatary practice was evaluated using a 95-item food frequency questionnaire, and the Dialysis Diet and Fluid Nonadherence Questionnaire (DDFQ) questionnaire was used to assess non-adherence to dietary and fluind intake reommendations. The amount of weight gain between two sessions of dialysis and biochemical parameters of the patients was also measured. Statistical analysis was performend using SPSS version 22. Results: Approximately 21.8% and 34.7% of patients did notadhere to their diet and of fluid intake recommendations. The rate of nonadherence to fluid intake recommendations were higher than the dietary recommendations. Protein intake of the patients was at an expected level, but their potassium intake was higher than the requirement of these patients. Conclusion: The number of days of non- adherence to the diet was less than that of the fluid intake recommendations. Also, the degree of nonadherence were more severe for diatary recommendations, compared to fluin intake limitations

The Prevalence of Malnutrition in Elderly Members of Jahandidegan Council, Shiraz, Iran

Background: The risk of malnutrition is increased in elderly because of insufficient food intake, debilitating diseases, social loneliness, and economical limitations. It not only increases the susceptibility to the development of diseases, but it also decreases quality of life (QOL) in the absence of proper intervention. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and to identify sociodemographic variables which may be associated with malnutrition in elderly members of Jahandidegan Council, Shiraz, Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 180 elderly of Jahandidegan Council were selected through simple random sampling. Following obtaining informed consent, data was collected via two questionnaires of sociodemographic and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and then statistically analyzed. Results: About 1% of the elderly population were malnourished and 13% were at the increased risk of malnutrition. While lower educational level was found to be associated with poor nutritional status of the elderly, no significant association was observed between age, sex, marital status or previous occupation and malnutrition. Conclusion: Regarding the importance of malnutrition in elderly individuals, designing and developing a comprehensive nutrition education program for this vulnerable group is required to enhance their knowledge and nutritional skill and to improve their QOL

Serum IL-18 and hsCRP Correlate with Insulin Resistance without Effect of Calcitriol Treatment on Type 2 Diabetes

ABSTRACT Background: Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation presented in Type 2 diabetes mellitus plays a major role in disease progression as well as development of micro-and macro-vascular complications of diabetes. Therefore, reducing inflammation can be beneficial in prevention of diabetes complications. Objectives: To investigate the association between insulin resistance and inflammatory markers, and assessing the effects of oral Calcitriol on inflammatory cytokines in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, 70 participants with type-2 diabetes were randomly divided to two groups. One group received two capsules of Calcitriol (0.25 μg 1,25-dihydroxy cholecalciferol per each capsule) per day. The second group received placebo tablets. At the beginning of the study, we assessed insulin resistance and its relation to inflammatory profile. Serum high sensitive Creactive protein (hs CRP), interleukin-6 and interleukin-18 were also measured at the beginning and the end of the 12-week supplementation trial. Results: Mean calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D concentrations in the study participants were 8.98 ± 0.79 mg/dl, 3.86 ± 0.50 mg/dl and 40.91 ± 30.9 ng/ml, respectively. IL-18 and hsCRP had significant positive associations with insulin resistance markers and negative associations with insulin sensitivity markers. At the end of the 12-week supplementation trial, no significant difference was seen in serum levels of hsCRP, IL-6 and IL-18 between the two groups, while these values were adjusted for baseline values. Conclusion: Inflammation was associated with insulin resistance in diabetic patients. No anti-inflammatory effect of Calcitriol in terms of decreasing hsCRP, IL-6 and IL-18 detected

Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis integerrima and resveratrol on ovarian morphology and biochemical parameters in Letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome rat model: An experimental study

Background: Resveratrol and Berberis integerrima (B. integerrima) are known to be natural antioxidants and regulators of human metabolism. However, the effects of resveratrol and B. integerrima on the ovarian morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not obvious. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of B. integerrima in combination with resveratrol on some biochemical parameters and ovarian morphology in the letrozole-induced PCOS rat. Materials and Methods: Seventy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 10-12 weeks weighing 200 ± 20 gr were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 10/each). Group I): normal; Group II): vehicle; Group III): letrozole-induced PCOS 1 mg/kg letrozole orally, rats receiving 1 cc normal saline orally; Group IV): PCOS + receiving 150 mg/kg metformin orally; Group V): PCOS + receiving 20 mg/kg resveratrol orally; Group VI): PCOS + 3 gr/kg barberry orally; and Group VII): PCOS + receiving 3 gr/kg barberry and 20 mg/kg resveratrol orally. All animals were followed-up for 63 days. The biochemical parameters and histological assessments of ovaries were performed. Results: Resveratrol alone and/or in combination with B. integerrima treatment in rats led to a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, malondialdehyde , and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations (p = 0.02). The groups IV, V, VI, and VII showed a decrease in insulin resistance and an increase in the superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.01). No significant difference was observed between the level of serum glucose in the treatment groups. Number of cystic follicles had a significant decrease in barberry, resveratrol, and their combination groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Resveratrol, B. integerrima, and their combination as natural products with fewer side effects might be effective as an alternative medicine in treatment of PCOS. Key words: Barberry, Resveratrol, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Ovary, Rat