Vitamin A supplementation reduces the Th17-Treg – Related cytokines in obese and non-obese women

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin A supplementation on serum Th17 (IL-6, IL-17, IFNγ) and Treg (TGF-β, IL-10) related cytokines in obese and non-obese women. Subjects and methods In a randomized double blind placebo controlled design, 56 obese women were randomly assigned to receive either an oral dose of 25,000 IU retinyl palmitate or placebo per day for 4 months. Twenty eight ages matched non-obese women were also received vitamin A. At the study entry, anthropometric variables were measured and serum Th17 and Treg related cytokine profile were determined at baseline and 4 months after intervention. Results Significantly higher baseline concentrations of IL-6 were observed in obese compared with non-obese women (P < 0.05). However, the initial concentrations of other cytokines were not significantly different between groups. The mean concentrations of IL-17 and TGF-β were significantly decreased after vitamin A supplementation in non-obese and obese women respectively. Positive relationships between IL-17 and IL-10 (r = 0.42, P < 0.001), TGF-β and IL-17 (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) and between IL-10 and IFN-γ (r = 0.41, P = 0.002) in total participants were also observed. Conclusions The results of the present study showed for the first time that vitamin A supplementation reduces serum concentrations of IL-17 and TGF-β in reproductive age women. Further studies are needed to explore the possible underlying mechanisms

White Blood Cell Count in Women: Relation to Inflammatory Biomarkers, Haematological Profiles, Visceral Adiposity, and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors

The role of white blood cell (WBC) count in pathogenesis of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesityrelated disorders has been reported earlier. Recent studies revealed that higher WBC contributes to atherosclerotic progression and impaired fasting glucose. However, it is unknown whether variations in WBC and haematologic profiles can occur in healthy obese individuals. The aim of this study is to further evaluate the influence of obesity on WBC count, inflammatory biomarkers, and metabolic risk factors in healthy women to establish a relationship among variables analyzed. The sample of the present study consisted of 84 healthy women with mean age of 35.56±6.83 years. They were categorized into two groups based on their body mass index (BMI): obese group with BMI >30 kg/m2 and non-obese group with BMI <30 kg/m2. We evaluated the relationship between WBC and platelet count (PLT) with serum interleukin 6 (IL-6), Creactive protein (CRP), Angiotensin II (Ang II), body fat percentage (BF %), waist-circumference (WC), and lipid profile. WBC, PLT, CRP, and IL-6 in obese subjects were significantly higher than in non-obese subjects (p< 0.05). The mean WBC count in obese subjects was 6.4±0.3 (×109/L) compared to 4.4±0.3 (×109/L) in non-obese subjects (p=0.035). WBC correlated with BF% (r=0.31, p=0.004), CRP (r=0.25, P=0.03), WC (r=0.22, p=0.04), Angiotensin II (r=0.24, p=0.03), triglyceride (r=0.24, p=0.03), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) levels (r=0.3, p=0.028) but not with IL-6. Platelet count was also associated with WC and waist-to-hip ratio (p<0.05). Haemoglobin and haematocrit were in consistent relationship with LDLcholesterol (p<0.05). In conclusion, obesity was associated with higher WBC count and inflammatory parameters. There was also a positive relationship between WBC count and several inflammatory and metabolic risk factors in healthy women

مروری بر شاخص‌های تعیین مزاج اولیه در طب سنّتی ایران

In Iranian Traditional Medicine, many instructions regarding a healthy lifestyle and also to diagnose and treat patients are determined based on the individual’s Mizaj (Temperament). Due to the effects of the Mizaj on several aspects of human’s physical and psychological conditions, Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) literature identified various indices to determine basic Mizaj. This study is a review on four ITM text books in order to compare their views on how to determine the basic Mizaj. The four main sources include: Al-canon fe-tebb, Zakireh-karazmshahee, Kamelo-sanaate-tebiah, Almansoori fe-tebb. The identification indices of temperament have been extracted from these books and thoroughly studied. Based on the results, the four sources have common remarks on indices and altogether Al-canon fe-teb has explained them in a more organized and broad way. Lack of controversy, paying special attention to the wide range of the indices particularly in normal Mizaj state and focusing on the sum of these factors to determine the final Mizaj were the important common findings between the studied resources .There are also several aspects that were not mentioned in the reviewed chapters including a lack of specification on the method of examining some indices and the age period in which the basic Mizaj should be determined and the ranking of the indices in order to determine the basic Mizaj. We propose further studies to clarify these aspects as well. Moreover; in order to make the identifying factors practical in ITM healthcare system, we suggest planning organized studies to evaluate the credibility of these indicators.در طب سنّتی ایران بسیاری از دستورهای حفظ سلامتی و روش‌های تشخیص و درمان بر اساس مزاج افراد تعیین می‏شود. مزاج هر فرد کیفیتی متشکل از بسیاری از خصوصیات جسمی و روحی او است و منابع طب سنّتی ایران خصوصیات مذکور را در قالب شاخص‌های تعیین مزاج معرفی و به تشریح نحوه استدلال آنها در تعیین مزاج پرداخته‌اند. مطالعه حاضر یک بررسی متون است که با هدف مقایسه دیدگاه‌های منابع مهم طب سنّتی ایران درباره شاخص‌های تعیین مزاج طراحی شده است. در این مطالعه چهار منبع شامل: القانون فی‏الطب، ذخیره خوارزمشاهی، کامل‌الصناعه الطبّیه و المنصوری فی‌الطب، انتخاب و شاخص‌های تعیین مزاج از نظر منابع مذکور استخراج و بررسی شدند. طبق نتایج استخراج‌شده، منابع مذکور در بسیاری از شاخص‌ها و نحوه استدلال آنها به مزاج اولیه اشتراک نظر داشتند و از بین آنها القانون فی‌الطب به‌صورت مدوّن و جامع‌تر به این شاخص‌ها پرداخته است. نبود تناقض بین شاخص‌های مطرح‌شده، توجه ویژه به طیف وسیع شاخص‌ها خصوصاً در حالت اعتدال، توجه به برآیند شاخص‌ها جهت تعیین مزاج، از موارد مشترک بین منابع مورد مطالعه بودند. عدم اشاره مستقیم به نحوه معاینه برخی شاخص‌ها، دوره سنی که مزاج پایه باید در آن تشخیص داده شود و اولویت شاخص‌ها جهت تعیین مزاج پایه از مواردی هستند که در بخش‌های مورد مطالعه منابع مذکور به‌طور شفاف بیان نشده‎اند و انجام مطالعات وسیع‌تر جهت بررسی آنها پیشنهاد می‏شود. هم‏چنین پیشنهاد می‏شود جهت کاربردی کردن مفهوم مزاج در نظام سلامت طب سنّتی ایران، مطالعات سازمان‌یافته اپیدمیولوژیک بابت اعتبارسنجی شاخص‌های تعیین مزاج طراحی و اجرا شود

The relationship between the intake of branched-chain and aromatic amino acids and individuals' sleep quality based on body mass index, gender, and age

Abstract Sleep disorder is a relatively common problem that causes chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. It is believed that diet regulates sleep. So, investigating the relationship between branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids intake with sleep quality based on age, gender and Body Mass Index (BMI) is important. A total of 172 males and females aged 18–65 participated in this study. The questionnaires were given online to them, included demographic information, food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ) was also used to measure the extent and severity of fatigue. The intake of amino acids was investigated by FFQ. The relationship between amino acids intake and sleep quality was investigated using Pearson's test. The results showed that intake of energy, macronutrients, and some micronutrients had a significant relationship with the quality of sleep of men compared to that of women (P < 0.05). No difference in sleep duration was observed between the two genders. There was a significant, positive association between sleep duration and the intake of BCAA (CC = 0.205, P = 0.031) and aromatic amino acids (CC = 0.22, P = 0.02) in the participants with normal BMI. Significant differences were seen in the intake of BCAA according to BMI which these differences were between lean and obese people, lean and overweight people, obese and normal, and overweight people. It demonstrated that in individuals with normal BMI, amino acids, protein, and carbohydrate intake may affect sleep duration and with modification of these factors sleep quality may get better. More study is needed to confirm these findings

Effects of DHA Supplementation on Vascular Function, Telomerase Activity in PBMC, Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines, and PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 Pathway in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Study Protocol for Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as an omega-3 fatty acid, in a natural ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Regarding the combinative effects of Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics and due to the lack of in vivo studies conducted using natural ligands of PPARs, we aimed to evaluate the effects of DHA supplementation on vascular function, telomerase activity, and PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 pathway, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), based on the Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPARγ encoding gene. 72 T2DM patients (36 dominant and 36 recessive allele carriers), aged 30-70, with body mass index of 18.5 to 35 kg/m2, will be participated in this double blind randomized controlled trial. In each group, stratification will be performed based on sex and age and participants will be randomly assigned to receive 2.4 g/day DHA or placebo (paraffin) for 8 weeks. PPARγ genotyping will be carried out using PCR-RFLP method; Telomerase activity will be estimated by PCR-ELISA TRAP assay; mRNA expression levels of target genes will be assessed using real time PCR. Serum levels of ADMA, sCD163 and adiponectin, will be measured using ELISA commercial kits. The present study is designed in order to help T2DM patients to modify their health conditions based on their genetic backgrounds, and to recommend the proper food ingredients as the natural agonists for PPARs in order to prevent and treat metabolic abnormalities of the disease

Research Priorities in Traditional Persian Medicine

Research is considered axis of each progressing and scientific development. Scattered studies without any logical plan won’t lead to the desired results. Research prioritization in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) is more necessary because of limited resources and manpower.This study was conducted in four phases with Delphi’s pattern of study. At the first stage, it was consulted from TIM departments at universities in Iran about research priorities. Conclusion of these priorities due to scoring to them was sent for 160 experts and assistants of traditional medicine, in two phases. For the last step, results of previous steps and conclusion of two phases of scoring were reviewed by the outstanding masters of TIM. The result was categorized, concluded and then presented in table form.81 topics were determined as research priorities after the conclusion of all comments. These topics are categorized in 4 areas. 3 topics in the area of “Hefz-al-Sehhah” (Maintaining the health), 12 subject in the area of “effective factors on sustainable development of Traditional Medicine”, 3 topics in “Basics of TIM “ and 65 subjects in the field of “diseases”.It is proposed that the arrangement of research priorities be considered in “Hefz-al-Sehhah”, “effective factors on sustainable development of Traditional Medicine”, “Basics of TIM” and “diseases” consequently. We recommend that research groups in the proposed areas to be formed, designing a research strategy for each area by sequential studies to achieve definite goals. It is suggested that research policy-making entities in the field of TIM and also related scientific associations, use these research priorities as the basis for moral and financial support