Effect of iron repletion and correction of iron deficiency on thyroid function in iron-deficient Iranian adolescent girls

The aim of this study was to determine whether iron supplementation in iron-deficient adolescent girls would improve thyroid function. A double-blind clinical trial was performed in a region in southern I.R. Iran. A total of 103 iron deficient participants were chosen. In all, 94 participants successfully completed this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups and treated with a 300 mg ferrous sulfate 5 times/week (n = 47) and placebo 5 times/week (n = 47) for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected and assayed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (TT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroid hormones (FT4 and FT3), triiodothyronine resin uptake (T3RU), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), selenium and albumin concentrations. Statistical analysis was performed with parametric and non-parametric methods as appropriate. Data analysis revealed a significant increase in TT4, TT3, T3RU and a significant decrease in rT3 concentration in comparison to initial values in iron treated group (12, p<0.001; 3.5, p<0.001; 16, p<0.05 and 47, p<0.001, respectively). At 12 week there were significant differences between control and placebo in TT4, TT3, T3RU and rT3 concentrations (9.9 vs 8.4 μg dL-1, 145.2 vs 130.4 μg dL-1, 32.5 vs 28.4 and 23 vs 41 μg dL-1, respectively, all p<0.001). Alterations in FT3 and TSH concentration were not significant, but concentration of FT4 revealed a significant difference between the beginning and the end of the study in iron treated group (10.3 vs 11.4, p<0.001). Iron supplementation improves some indices of thyroid function in iron-deficient adolescent girls. © 2007 Asian Network For Scientific Information

Effects of apple consumption on lipid profile of hyperlipidemic and overweight men

Objectives: Fruits and vegetables may be beneficial on lipid profile of hyperlipidemic subjects. The present study was aimed to verify the effect of golden delicious apple on Lipid Profile in hyperlipidemic and overweight men. Methods: Forty six hyperlipidemic and overweight men were randomly divided into two groups. Intervention group received 300g golden delicious apple per day for 8 weeks. Control group had the regular dietary regimen for the same period of time. Blood samples were analyzed for serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), lipoprotein a (Lp a) and LDL/HDL ratio at baseline and after intervention. Results: Total polyphenols and fibers were 485 mg/kg and 4.03 g/100g in fresh apple respectively. After 8 weeks, significant statistical differences were observed considering the TG and VLDL levels between two groups, but no significant differences were observed regarding TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo (B), Lp (a) and LDL/HDL ratio. Conclusions: Consumption of Golden delicious apple may be increased serum TG and VLDL in hyperlipidemic and overweight men. We need more studies to assay the effect of apple consumption on serum TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo (B), Lp (a) and LDL/HDL ratio

Effects of apple consumption on lipid profile among hyperlipidemic and over weight men

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of apple consumption on lipid profiles among hyperlipidemic and overweight men. Materials and Methods: We performed an experimental study on 46 hyperlipidemic men, aged between 30-50 years(TC=200-240 mg/dl, TG=150-350 mg/dl), randomly divided into two (apple and control) groups. The apple group (23 subjects) received 300 gr of whole apples per day (Golden Delicious) for 8 weeks, while controls (23 subjects) had the regular dietary pattern for the same period of time. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after intervention and analyzed for serum TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL, Apo(B), Lp(a) and LDL/HDL levels. Before study, education level and family size were compared. Before and after intervention, physical activity and dietary intake were compared between the two groups. Both total polyphenol and the total fiber consumed in apples were measured. Results: Total polyphenol and total fiber intakes were 485 mg/kg fresh apple and 4.03 gr/100 gr of fresh apple, respectively. After 8 weeks, mean differences in TG and VLDL concentrations increased statistically in the apple group compared to the control group, but, no significant differences were observed in the TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo(B), Lp(a) and LDL/HDL levels, between two groups. Conclusion: Consumption of Golden Delicious apples seemed to increase serum TG and VLDL concentrations in hyperlipidemic men. More studies are needed to investigate the effect of Golden delicious apple on serum TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo(B), Lp(a) and LDL/HDL concentrations

The association between dietary antioxidant intake and semen quality in infertile men

Background: Oxidative stress is detrimental to semen quality and has a significant role in the etiology of male subfertility. Methods: Dietary intake of antioxidants were compared between thirty two men with oligolastheno/ teratazoospermic (cases) and 32 normospermic volunteers (controls) attending fertility clinic in Mirza Koochak-khan Hospital in Tehran, Iran. All participants were nonsmokers and matched according their age and Body Mass Index (BMI). Nutrient consumption was calculated using a semi- quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Semen samples were collected and were assessed by measuring volume, concentration, motility and morphology. Results: infertile subjects had a significantly lower intake of zinc and folate compare to control ones (p<0.001). Dietary intake of vitamin C and E was lower than recommended values in 59.4 of case group that was significantly different from control ones (p<0.05). In control group, 36.4 and 40.9 of participants had insufficient dietary intake of vitamin C and E, respectively. Significant correlations were found between folate (r=0.5, p<0.001), zinc (r=0.6, p<0.001) and percentage of motility and also between vitamin E and morphology (r=0.3, p=0.03), zinc and concentration (r=0.4, p=0.004) in all participants. Conclusion: In summary, a low intake of folate, zinc, and vitamin E were related to poor sperm concentration and motility

Does low birth weight predict hypertension and obesity in schoolchildren?

Background: Birth weight appears to play a role in determining high blood pressure (BP) and obesity during childhood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between birth weight and later obesity and hypertension among 10- to 13-year-old schoolchildren. Methods: A total of 1,184 primary school students were selected from 20 randomized schools between 2011 and 2012 in Iran. Height, weight, waist circumference and BP were measured using standard instruments. Data were analyzed using stepwise regression and logistic regression models. Results: 13.5 of children had a history of low birth weight. First-degree family history of obesity, excessive gestational weight gain and birth weight were significantly correlated with overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity (p = 0.001), whereas only birth weight was associated with high BP (p = 0.001). An inverse correlation was found between waist circumference and systolic/diastolic BP. The duration of breastfeeding in children with low birth weight was inversely correlated with obesity/overweight, abdominal obesity and hypertension. Conclusion: The results suggests that birth weight is inversely associated with BP and more so with obesity and abdominal obesity. The duration of having been breastfed could have an influence on later hypertension, obesity and abdominal obesity. Further results are needed to test these correlations as well as diagnosing early life factors to prevent young adult overweight/obesity or hypertension. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel

Multilocus differentiation of the related dermatophytes Microsporum canis, Microsporum ferrugineum and Microsporum audouinii

Microsporum ferrugineum, an uncommon causative agent of dermatophytosis, has restricted endemicity. Iranian strains suspected to be M. ferrugineum from two patients with tinea were analysed using the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the partial beta-tubulin (BT2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) genes. Strains were compared to reference strains to differentiate M. ferrugineum from its relatives Microsporum canis and Microsporum audouinii. Inter-species differences for TEF1 and BT2 were found to be higher than for the ITS region, which is the current molecular standard for species identification in dermatophytes. Intra-species variation was zero for each of the markers. In silico analysis showed that the restriction enzymes Banl and BshNI were together sufficient to differentiate the three species based on TEF1, whereas a two-step digestion was needed with BT2 or the ITS region. The prevalence of M. ferrugineum in clinical samples in Iran appeared to be higher than suspected on the basis of routine phenotypic identification