Brachial endothelial function and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with coronary artery disease

     Endothelial dysfunction and carotid intima-media thickness are 2 indicators of subclinical cardiovascular disease. The aim of study was to analyze brachial flow mediated dilation(FMD)and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT)in patients with coronary artery disease, and investigate the relationship between endothelial function, CIMT and coronary artery disease risk factors.56 men and women aged between 25 to 75 years with coronary artery disease were recruited. FMD and CIMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. Data were presented  as  mean  ±  SE.  Pearson correlation  coefficients  were  used  to  evaluate associations   and  T-test  and  Chi-square  tests  were  used  for  quantitative  and qualitative variables. P-values  <  0.05  were considered  to  indicate  statistically  significant  differences. The mean age of subjects was 59.37±1.28 years. The frequencies of one, two and three-vessel coronary artery disease were 61%, 35.1% and 3.9%, respectively. The mean of CIMT in patients was 0.79±0.02 mm, and 65.5% of patients had CIMT more than 0.8 mm.The mean of FMD was 4.79±0.55% and 65.4% of patients had FMD lower than 5.3%. CIMT was correlated directly with number of diseased vessels, age andtotal cholesterol and was correlated inversely with HDL-C.Non-invasive measurement of FMD and CIMT are interrelated techniques that probably assess the same atherosclerotic process from functional and anatomic viewpoints.In these patients an increase in CIMT and decrease in FMD may warrant more aggressive risk factor control through the beginning of effective medical treatment

Insulin resistance surrogate markers and risk of hyperuricemia among patients with and without coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough emerging evidence emphasizes the associations between both insulin resistance and hyperuricemia with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, no definite relationship has yet been established. In this respect, time-efficient and affordable methods to estimate insulin resistance (IR) status, and to predict risk of hyperuricemia, are needed. Thus, the goal of this investigation was to examine the associations between IR, as assessed by novel surrogate markers [triglyceride-glucose (TyG) and TyG–body mass index (TyG-BMI)], and risk of hyperuricemia in patients with and without diagnosed CAD.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data from the medical records of 1,170 patients who were referred to the cardiology outpatient clinic. Medical records, anthropometrics, and serum analytes were determined at the initial visit. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid ≥ 5.6 mg/dL. IR was estimated through surrogate markers (TyG and TyG-BMI). Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between these indices and odds of hyperuricemia among patients with and without CAD.ResultsOverall, 814 angiographically-confirmed CAD cases (mean age (SD) = 52 (8)yrs) were compared with 356 patients without CAD (mean age (SD) = 48 (8)yr). There were positive associations between TyG and TyG-BMI indices and odds of hyperuricemia in CAD patients after controlling for confounders (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.60; 95%CI: 1.02–2.51; p-value = 0.036; and aOR = 1.83; 95%CI: 1.24–2.70; p-value = 0.002, third tertiles for TYG and TYG-BMI, respectively).ConclusionThe present findings suggest that higher levels of the IR surrogate markers, TyG and TyG-BMI, are associated with higher odds of hyperuricemia in patients with CAD. However, given the cross-sectional design of this study, the sensitivity and specificity of these novel markers could not be determined for confirming the diagnosis of IR and hyperuricemia, further studies are needed to determine such outcomes and to confirm the current findings

Garlic tablet supplementation reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells

This study was designed to investigate whether garlic tablets possess anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects in healthy adults. Twelve healthy adults participated in a randomized, cross-over design with a three-week treatment and a two-week washout period. Participants received either garlic powder tablets twice daily or two placebo tablets/day for three weeks. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from fasting blood samples at baseline and after each three-week treatment with garlic or placebo. PBMC were cultured, stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and changes in cell culture supernatants tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were determined. In addition, changes in plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), as well as plasma levels of lipids were determined. After three weeks of supplementation, LPS-stimulated TNF-α release in cell culture supernatant was lower after garlic than placebo ( P <0.05) whereas no significant changes were observed in unstimulated TNF-α release or plasma TNF-α. There were no significant differences in plasma hs-CRP, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels between garlic and placebo. In healthy individuals, garlic supplementation did not change plasma levels of TNF-α and hs-CRP while it caused lower TNF-α release into cell culture supernatant after stimulation by LPS

Overview of Flour Fortification Program with Iron and Folic Acid in Iran

Introduction and purpose: A large percentage of the world population suffers&nbsp;from hidden hunger, which is defined as micronutrients deficiency. Iron&nbsp;deficiency anemia is one of the most common complications of the micronutrients&nbsp;deficiency and there is a lot of effort to deal with this problem. For this purpose,&nbsp;this study aimed to examine the program of flour fortification with iron in Iran.&nbsp;Methods: The cohort, case-control, and clinical trial studies with the search&nbsp;strategies such as iron deficiency anemia, fortification, and micronutrients&nbsp;deficiency, which were conducted until 2015 were included. The data sources&nbsp;entailed PubMed, Ovid, Elsevier Science, Blackwell Synergy, and Google. All&nbsp;the selected studies were available in English and Persian.&nbsp;Results: In several countries, the best method for correction of the iron&nbsp;deficiency anemia is food fortification due to high efficacy and low adverse&nbsp;effects of this method. Bread is a staple food in Iran; therefore, flour fortification&nbsp;was performed in this country. The premix powder containing 30 ppm of iron&nbsp;and 1.5 ppm of folic acid was used for flour fortification. Considering the various&nbsp;types of wealth, the total amount of iron in flour was up to 80 to 85 ppm that&nbsp;may lead to iron poisoning in people with a low socio-economic status because&nbsp;of high bread consumption, as well as the individuals with high socio-economic&nbsp;status since they receive iron from the other resources. Therefore this program&nbsp;was stopped in several provinces due to the mentioned complication.&nbsp;Conclusion: Prior to the implementation of this program, it was essential to&nbsp;carry out abundant pilot studies to investigate the probable complications and&nbsp;problems of this plan. To the best of our knowledge, there is limited number of&nbsp;studies conducted on the adverse effects of iron fortification in Iran; therefore,&nbsp;further studies are recommended in this issue

The Diet Adherence in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Patients in the North of Iran Based on the Mediterranean Diet Adherence

Background and objectives: Before any nutritional intervention, it is necessary to have the prospect of eating habits of people with cardiovascular risk factors. In this study, we assessed the adherence of healthy diet based on Mediterranean dietary pattern and related factors in adults in the north of Iran. Methods: This study was conducted on 550 men and women with cardiovascular risk factors that referred to Heshmat hospital in Rasht, northern Iran. Information was collected by interview and reading medical history and measuring anthropometric indexes. The Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener was used for assessing dietary adherence, this screener was modified according to religious beliefs and culture of Iran. Results: The mean age of participants was 58±0.38 years. The mean of body mass index was 27±0.01 kg/m2, and the mean of waist circumference was 98±0.2 cm. The mean of dietary adherence was 5.76±0.07. 45% of participants had low adherence, and just 4% had suitable adherence. The mean of dietary adherence in men was significantly higher than women (p=0. 07). Participants in rural area and high educational participants insignificantly had an unsuitable dietary Adherence. There was no significant association between some cardiovascular disease risk factors and dietary adherence. Conclusion: Education to different group about dietary intake correction and using a Mediterranean dietary pattern that is similar to dietary intake in the north of Iran, for controlling cardiovascular disease is necessary

Assesment of Serum Magnesium Level in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis

Objectives: This study was designed to assess nutritional and biochemical factor of magnesium in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Methods & Materials: The population of this analytical cross- sectional study, was 60 postmenopausal osteoporotic women ,referred to rheumateology clinic of Tabriz. Nutritional intake was determined by 3 day food recall and food frequency questionnaire، individual and clinical information by questionnaire and weight and height of subjects were measured by scale. Serum magnesium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed using analytical and descriptive statistical methods. Results: Mean age of women were 58.85 years old .Mean of energy and protein intake from diet was 1876 kcal, 53.3 g/day,respectively.The mean intake of magnesium from diet was 120 mg/day that was significantly lower than recommended dietary allowance (P<0.05) (37%RDA). Mean of magnesium serum concentration in this patients was 0.7&plusmn;0.01 mmol/L that was in less normal ranges.The correlation between magnesium intake and age was significantly negative. Conclusion: Base on this study finding ,magnesium status in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis was not siutable considering the significant correlation between magnesium intake and bone mineral density and important role of magnesium on bone metabolism, nutritional education to intake magnesium rich foods, is suggested for maintanence of bone density

Frequency of renal artery stenosis and associated factors in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the first cause of mortality in developed and developing countries, including Iran. Identifying high-risk patients can save many from morbidity and mortality. Renal artery stenosis (RAS) seems to be equivalent to CAD in patients with cardiovascular risk. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and extent of RAS and its predictors in patients with confirmed CAD on coronary angiography. Patients and Methods: All patients suspected of ischemic heart disease (IHD), who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography at Heshmat heart hospital, Iran were recruited (May 2015 to June 2016). Patients with confirmed CAD underwent non-selective renal angiography, which was categorized as mild, moderate or severe based on luminal diameter narrowing more than normal >0% to 50%, between 50%-70% and more than 70%, respectively. Results: Of 233 patients, RAS was observed in 123 (53%). Around 20% were mild, 10% were moderate and 23% were severe. Additionally, RAS in 37% was unilateral and in 16% were bilateral. Besides,19%, 25% and 56% of patients had atherosclerosis in one, two and three vessels, respectively. There was no correlation between the CAD severity and severity of RAS (P=0.807). Conclusions: Higher prevalence of RAS in patients with hyperlipidemia (60% vs. 40%) was detected. Its association with variables affecting CAD indicates that RAS can be a predictor of CAD. Therefore, simultaneous assessment of RAS in coronary angiography can be a good screening method for CAD beside earlier diagnosis of kidney disease